Deaf instructor to release new series of workouts on ‘Body Coach’ app

Deaf fitness coach India Morse, who runs ‘You Lean Me Up’, is to launch a series of new accessible workouts on a mobile app created by ‘Body Coach’ Joe Wicks.

The news follows the release of several free British Sign Language (BSL) exercise sessions on Wicks’ YouTube channel last year, when the popular instructor asked Morse to produce a series of deaf-friendly videos.

Wicks was first made aware of Morse after she entered a competition to become one of his three new personal trainers and was shortlisted.

While she wasn’t selected, The Body Coach and Morse later worked together to produce sessions accessible to the Deaf community.

Commenting on the new exercises available on the app – which include core and weighted workouts – Morse wrote on Instagram: “So excited to share the big news… I’ve been working so hard to make the fitness industry more accessible for the Deaf community and I’m delighted to say that my series of workouts are now going to be on the Body Coach app!

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A post shared by India Morse (@youleanmeup)

“You name it, we’ve got it covered – my workouts are in British Sign Language, with captions and voiceover too – you’ll find it all there!

“Somebody pinch me, as I cannot believe it’s finally happening! Accessibility in the fitness industry is slowly growing. I’m just so glad that I didn’t ever give up, it’s been hard, but it’s absolutely worth the wait.”

Wicks added: “We’re both super excited to be sharing a brand new collection of awesome workouts aimed at the deaf community. Whether you are deaf or hearing, India’s workouts are insane and I promise you’re going to love them.

“They will be live on the [app] this weekend so please let us know what you think.

“Alongside this we are currently in the process of adding closed captions to all the workouts in the app to ensure they are more accessible for more people around the world.”

Access to The Body Coach app is available monthly at £14.99 per month, quarterly at £37.99 every three months, and yearly at £89.99 for 12 months.

Photo: The Body Coach TV/YouTube.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.