A GROUP of women in the health industry came together to host a motivational fitness day on zoom.

Sports therapist and yoga instructor Julia Hartley from Read in the Ribble Valley along with her friends held the day last Sunday with 45 women online throughout the full day.

Starting at 8am, the day consisted of yoga, motivational and fitness speeches, kettlecise, a virtual walk, pilates, meditation and advice on how to do a facial at home.

Mrs Hartley, who runs her business Hartley Heys with business partner Vicky Heys, ran the first session doing yoga with the women.

Julie Barrow from Power Fit in Simonstone, Ribble Valley, did the kettlecise class, while Claire Ratcliffe Wilson from The Beauty Emporium in Accrington helped the women understand their skin.

Lisa Pickles from Whalley based Journey 38 held a meditation session, and the ladies also invited two motivation and nutrition speakers, Jo Moseley and Rachel Cruickshank.

Mrs Hartley said: “I was sat in my back garden during lockdown one day and I just thought there must be others like me who are bored and need some motivation and inspiration.

“I managed to get my friends in similar industries together and set it up.

“We wanted to make everyone feel part of a group and feel inspired.

“We didn’t know how it would go but it came together, and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

The full day was priced at £20 for all the participants.

Mrs Hartley said: “It was all about feeling the community spirit online and giving them something to look forward to.

“All the women said they felt really inspired after the day and that was a real positive for everyone.”

There were breaks for tea and lunch and took the virtual walk where they took pictures to show each other where they were.

She said: “I ran the first session and then I became the tech person who ensured everyone’s technical issues were solved.

“I was super tired afterwards, but it was good, and I was so happy I did it.

“I was super fed up at home doing nothing and so I thought I’d do something to left everyone’s spirits.”

Mrs Hartley usually works as a sports therapist but since the lockdown began she has had to leave her work and instead has focussed on her yoga business she runs with Ms Heys.

Between them, the women run six yoga and Pilates classes a week.