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SHE FIRST made headlines for being the first gym in Glasgow to run classes for the deaf community using different coloured lights.

And now gym owner Amy Hill, 24, is creating her own online gym community after the coronavirus lockdown forced her to close her doors - including free classes for NHS workers

Amy told The Glasgow Times: "I actually closed the gym before the government officially told us to, because I just felt it was the safest measure for my clients. Some are already in the high risk category.

"My gym is my life, as well as my own source of income. I was sitting at home thinking 'how am I going to make ends meet?' The worst part is that I knew I wasn't alone in thinking that - there were hundreds of business owners across the city in the same position.

Glasgow Times:

"Alongside that, I was also thinking about ways that I could help. We are so lucky to have the internet and I thought, it's time to make this work for me."

Amy invited former members of her gym to sign up for her online classes, which are a number of workouts anyone can do in their living room and are also suitable for the deaf community, for a fraction of the price.

As a further addition, she also created a group on Facebook for NHS workers - with the picture of their NHS card, they can join the group and workout when they can.

"I didn't expect it to take off so much. I just wanted to give something back" said Amy.

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"It's amazing seeing the feedback - I've had nurses sending me videos of them working out to my videos on their break" added Amy. "The group has about three hundred members now and more are joining every day.

"I really wanted to create an online community that mirrors the real-life community that I have around my gym", Amy said.

Glasgow Times:

"I'd love to get a yoga teacher to post routines, and a nutritionist to share recipies. It's sad that it came through a crisis but I think it could be the future."

Although she hasn't been able to see any of her regular clients in the gym, Amy insists no matter a persons ability there are ways to stay fit for everyone. And, in a time like this, staying fit is vital.

"It can be so easy to become depressed, sitting on the couch all day.

"Alongside my work outs I post meal plans and advice, because staying healthy is about all those things. Staying fit can be easy, it's even just going out for a walk or starting on Couch to 5k.

"I know that if I allowed myself to sit indoors all the time, I'd be going crazy.

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"Going out every day for our exercise, in the way that the Government allows, can totally change your mindset."

Amy says there are other lessons to be learned from the changes that have been implemented throughout the coronavirus crisis.

"This affects everyone. It's taught me that in the end, materialistic things do not matter - all that matters is that we look after each other. Be kind."