Free fitness classes in Greenwich – offered by library staff

A new addition to Greenwich Libraries’ online offer is free of charge, online fitness classes.
Greenwich Libraries are operated by social enterprise GLL whose “Better Leisure” division
has provided 600 different sessions for all abilities, ranging from beginner’s sessions for
those who are new to exercise to high energy workouts, from Zumba and HIIT to Yoga,
Pilates and Mindfulness.
To access these exercise videos, customers simply go to the Libraries without Walls section
on the www.better.org website – or click on the fitness tile on the Libraries app.
While library buildings have been closed and library users have been in lockdown in their
homes, the demand for online resources has increased dramatically. In Greenwich the
increase is 208%.
GLL was fortunate to have undertaken a major review of the online resources just before
the pandemic changed our lives. Library managers added the Press Reader online
newspaper collection for all GLL partnerships, together with the complete collection of RB
Digital magazines, added more e-books in their Overdrive collection – and boosted the e-
audio offer by adding Ulverscroft e-audio publications and RB digital e-audio as well as
adding additional titles from the Overdrive platform. Freegal continues to provide music
streaming and download services. This standard offer is now available to all library members
in services operated by GLL.
GLL library staff have added to the online offer during lockdown, filming themselves at
home, to produce more than 300 videos of rhyme times, story times, sing and sign, craft
sessions, poetry readings, science sessions and so on… These videos have attracted over
150,000 views since the lockdown began. In Greenwich over 100 videos have been added,
attracting over 50,000 views.
Diana Edmonds MBE, Head of Libraries at GLL said: “We have been working hard to pull
together a really comprehensive online provision that genuinely offers something for
everyone. The unique circumstances of self-isolation, furloughing and social distancing
mean that many people are taking the opportunity to read more, listen to music or enjoy
hobbies.
“These circumstances have prompted us to look at what we provide for the community in a
new way. We’re delighted to be able to announce our latest innovation, the opportunity for
our library members to access free online fitness classes, via our GLL libraries apps, meaning
that we can cater for our customers’ mental and physical wellbeing while libraries are
closed.”
Cllr Adel Khaireh, Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet Member for Culture and
Communities, said: "Looking after your mental and physical wellbeing during this period of
lockdown is essential. It's been great to see Greenwich Libraries respond quickly and

effective to the increased demand for their online services, including the addition of these
free exercise videos.
“We are really supportive of any opportunity or advice that is available to keep Royal
Greenwich residents active and help improve people's lives in these pressing times. We look
forward to the opening of our libraries and leisure centres, hopefully in the not too distant
future. In the meantime, we encourage all residents to enjoy and take part in these free
activities."