Were you part of the fitness boom during the coronavirus lockdown?

Residents who were out enjoying the island’s fresh air during the Covid-19 pandemic may have noticed more people than usual out cycling, running or walking.

Bikes flew off the shelves when the island bunkered down and the sunshine prompted many people to escape their four walls.

We asked the public if they set up a fitness routine during this period and whether this has stuck since.

For Kennedy Lawler of Douglas, the priority for her was working full-time as a nurse.

’I feel that because now everything is open I’m more likely to do more exercise as swimming pools and gyms are accessible,’ the 24-year-old said.

’We’re very lucky that everything is open now.’

Her partner, Jordan Chatt, 22, who was embracing his second day of freedom following two weeks of self-isolation after moving from Scotland, agreed.

’Having lived in Scotland, everything is completely different,’ he said.

He thinks more sporting activities should be open to those in the UK.

’Fishing and golf courses were open and that was it.

’I think sports like tennis, which requires just two people, should be allowed. You can use hand sanitiser and social distance, but I understand that it’s about finding a medium.’

Ed Oldham, 39, of Douglas, tried fitness routines at home.

’It wasn’t really for me,’ he said. ’I didn’t do the 5k challenge as jogging is not my thing, but I did quite a bit of walking along the prom.’

When the restrictions were lifted, Ed found himself going straight to the gym early in the morning.

’It was brilliant and I was so happy as I had been looking forward to it,’ he said.

’I do it for my mental health as much as for my physical health. Going to the gym sets you up for the day if you go in the morning. Walking was okay, but it’s not the same.’

Sharon Gill, 59, of Onchan, said: ’When we were allowed to go out for one hour every day, I walked from Onchan to Douglas.

’I walked more during lockdown. I walked to go shopping instead of taking the car and I did it to feel healthy really.’

Her daughter Jacqui, 20, said ’I used my one hour outside in London. I went for a walk in the morning. I felt that really helped my mental health.

’I also got a yoga mat and a few bits and bobs to use.

’I had one friend who was really struggling with her weight. She lives in Cornwall and would go running and cycling. She’s lost two stone.’

She added that as she can’t go on holiday she doesn’t see a need to work on a ’beach body’.

Aaron Fitzmaurice, 17, of Douglas, often cycled during lockdown.

’It was the only thing that was fun and it was sunny. Now I haven’t really gone out on my bike. As soon as lockdown lifted the weather changed,’ he said.

Tom Benson, 18, of Onchan, said: ’My bike broke during lockdown, but since then I’ve been doing a lot of football.’

Both said it was ’weird’ how quickly things went back to normal after the lockdown period.