A Teddington personal trainer is offering free group exercise classes to help lift people's spirits over lockdown.

Maya Christou, 31 qualified as a fitness instructor ten years ago and worked at the Lensbury gym before going freelance.

Last year she started leading group workout sessions over Zoom as a way to socialise with friends during the pandemic.

Christou said: "But then it evolved with my clients and I thought, we're all feeling a bit gloomy right now, why don't I extend this to everyone?"

She decided to restart the classes in January and they now take place twice a week, on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The sessions last for an hour and involve a full body workout led by Christou.

They are free to attend, though there is the option to tip should you want to.

"I don't want to make it obligatory," Christou said.

"Everyone is in different places financially, I think it's so much more important to prioritise mental and physical wellbeing over money in my pocket.

"Luckily there are a few people who tip me and that makes it worth doing, but I also work out with the group."

Christou's classes are aimed at people of all fitness levels and she includes modifications for most of the exercises.

There is no need for specialist equipment, she added.

"I use things like baked beans as weights as pretty much everybody has some tins!"

Christou does advise people who are injured or pregnant to be extra cautious, however, when taking part in the sessions.

This is because on Zoom she cannot see everyone up close to check how they're doing.

Her classes are usually attended by between 10 and 20 people, she said, though there is space for 100 and she hopes to grow her numbers in future.

Christou's classes are advertised on her Facebook page