After the Prime Minister faced criticism for going on a seven-mile bike ride, Simon Parker extolled the benefits of exercising outdoors, arguing that shaming people for taking responsibility for their own health and wellbeing is “utterly heinous”. 

Similarly, Rowan Pelling mused on the joys of her daily walks, and pointed to the mental health benefits of taking a stroll. 

In response, Telegraph readers shared how they’ve stayed fit during lockdown and the importance of exercise, while others warned that greater precautions are needed when exercising during the pandemic. 

Read on for Telegraph readers on the perils of exercise shaming and tell us how you’ve been keeping fit in the comments section below.

‘Joggers make me scared to go outside’

@N Griffin:

“The trouble is that joggers put off those of us in need of exercise from going out at all because of the fear of the panting, sweat-shedding by the truck load, yakking loudly on the phone and no mask-wearing. 

"I'm scared. My walk was quiet in pre-Covid times but yesterday the sun came out and I had to pass 10 people during a 10-minute country walk. 

“I don't live in the city. My rural peace and quiet has been invaded with ex-gym people out to get their exercise fix and they are pushing me out of my outdoor space. I need it more than they do and I resent them. 

“There's a reason for lane swimming for the over 50s. Perhaps our daily outdoor space could have similar lanes because at present the strongest are pushing out the weakest.”

‘I love running’

@Simon Cornelius:

“I started running four months ago and absolutely love it. I was always a keen hiker but couldn't run more than a minute when I started. 

“I'm happily doing 10-plus miles now and working on my pace.”

‘Don’t underestimate exercise’

@Whocares Ido:

“To the vast majority of the population exercise is an abhorrence to be totally avoided.

“They are totally unaware of the pleasures that come with exercise – the sense of achievement, the buzz from pushing yourself, and the freedom and well-being that comes with a healthy functioning mind and body.

“They couldn't care less if our exercise freedoms are taken away. Some even relish in seeing us have our freedoms taken away.”

‘Exercise is causing avoidable problems’

@Abigail Brook:

“Too many people are driving to the most popular, picturesque spots, resulting in overcrowding and thoughtless people giving in to the temptation to park obstructively or illegally. 

“There should be a rule at present of not travelling, more than five miles, to exercise. Some people cannot exercise safely from their front door, but people from Bristol driving to the Forest of Dean or people from Cheltenham shunning Cleeve Common or the nearby Cotswolds to drive to Snowdonia to ‘exercise’ is causing avoidable problems.”

‘Don’t travel to beauty spots for exercise’

@Louise Evans:

“I live in Wales, close to some glorious ancient woodlands which can accommodate everyone safely. However, in the last lockdown problems arose with parked cars being rammed in the car parks such that it was impossible to avoid mingling; so Natural Resources Wales closed all the car parks down which spoiled it for everyone.

“Cycling is fine, jogging is fine, walking is fine: but unless you have mobility problems I don't believe driving to parks and beauty spots should be allowed.  

“It should also not be possible to go to different areas than the one you live in. It's not fair to spread it to areas with lower infections.”

‘I’ve been shouted at for running’

@James Caine:

“I've been shouted at while out running. Generally it’s due to the myth of runners expelling the virus through heavy breathing (surely, only if you have the virus?).

“On Saturday a man stopped his car and shouted out his window that I shouldn't be out unless it was for essential business, although I've no idea why he was out. We've also had a man in the town photograph runners and report us to the police. He stopped when the police told him to stop wasting their time.

“We should be encouraging exercise, and that we must be courteous to others and yes within the spirit of the guidance. I only run in our town, never more than four or five miles from home at the furthest point.

“Who would have thought exercising could lead to so many people losing their minds!”

‘I'd be piling on the pounds if I didn't exercise’ 

@Christian Grant: 

“I go for a run in the morning, walk down to the local shops for the day's supplies at lunch and go for a run in the evening. 

“I just about manage to get 15,000 steps in. I'd be piling on the pounds if I didn't do this.”

‘Not exercising could be more damaging than Covid’

@Nigel Mills:

“I play, or at least did play, football with a group of over 60s. I cannot help but think that in the overall scheme of things, not exercising in this way with my mates is far more likely to damage our collective health than Covid.”

‘We need common sense’

@Joanna Watts:

“Exercise doesn't need to amount to a workout. It could just be a walk. Not everyone is able to run everywhere. Some people are also quite likely to need to sit down on a bench on the way round too, depending on the state of their health or mobility. Personally, I think that is perfectly reasonable.

“Unless we want everyone else to be agoraphobic too by the end of all this, let's just use a bit of common sense!”

‘Steer clear of joggers’

@Martin Parsons:

“Dogs don't bother me when I'm out for a walk, joggers do.  They insist on running past you two feet away breathing in and out heavily. 

“Two times now they have run into me. Once at night, okay, but in daylight? Many approach you from behind so you don't see them coming to move out of the way, but why should I? 

“They should steer clear of me.”

‘There's nothing quite like a walk at sunset’

@Nick Bennett:

“There are no horses or cows on the moors where I go walking: not even sheep at this time of year. There might be the occasional weasel trying to intimidate unwary pedestrians.  

“There is nothing quite like the feeling of setting off to walk the moor at sunset with snow starting to fall!”

How are you keeping fit during lockdown? Tell us in the comments section below