Britain's Strongest Man, Adam Bishop has honoured bodybuilding icon and legendary strongman, Eugen Sandow with a fitness workout being shot in Hayes, West London. Filmed at Barratt London's Hayes Village development last Friday (1st May 2020), which was once the iconic former Nestlé factory owned by Sandow, the workout is designed to get people motivated to exercise at home during the strict lockdown conditions that the country continues to face.

The videos, which were shot following recommended social-distancing guidelines, see Adam replicate some of Sandow's old-time strongman edge, with him performing the historic Circus Dumbbell press infront of the beautiful Art Deco entrance to his former 'Sandow's Cocoa Works'. Local legend has it that after retiring from Hollywood where he starred in several Charlie Chaplin films, Sandow invested his earnings into the factory and opened it in 1913. Sandow was bodybuilding's first superstar and claimed chocolate as the source of his strength!

Nowadays, the development, which is being restored by Barratt London as Hayes Village and will deliver 1,386 new homes, also has fitness at its heart. Perfect for modern-day fitness fanatics, Hayes Village will boast a gym, running track, section of canal for paddle-boarding and other watersports, green open spaces and parkland, when complete.

Adam Bishop comments: “Eugen Sandow was the original strongman superstar here in Britain. He paved the way with large venues full of fans watching his displays of strength. Over 100 years later Giants Live strongman shows are filling large arenas thanks to the initial first steps that Sandow made. Sandow was also a huge proponent of positive physical culture in Britain, which is why I was keen to come and help Barratt London in recording some workouts for the public to do at home and stay fit during this challenging period.” Ed McCoy, Sales Director at Barratt West London comments: “We are extremely excited that Adam could join us to film this motivating workout video at a time when the country needs it the most. It seems a fitting way to honour Sandow, with Britain's reining Strongest Man stepping through the gates and bringing the sport back to the factory that he once owned.”

The factory is a significant feature of the local community in Hayes and Barratt London's proposals have been designed to honour the heritage of the site. A public plaza at the heart of the development is going to be named after Sandow, whilst a large scale wall mural will celebrate his life.

The instructional workouts are due to go live each Thursday at 12pm for four weeks starting on the 7th May 2020. The four sessions will be progressive with minimal kit to suit everyone watching at home, including:

• Week 1 – Bodyweight only 
• Week 2 – Using exercise bands for resistance 
• Week 3 – Dumbbell session (or pints of milk if no dumbbells at home!)
• Week 4 – Power conditioning circuit 

Please see the Barratt London Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/barrattlondon/.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information about Barratt London please call Kathryn Reucroft on 07397 383227 or email kathryn@building-relations.co.uk

About Barratt London

Barratt London is a market-leading residential developer, with over 30 years' experience in the Capital, delivering up to 2,000 units each year. Barratt London is committed to providing an unbeatable customer experience and developing exceptional homes for all Londoners. We have an extensive portfolio of residential developments and partnerships delivering homes across the Capital for all Londoners, from state-of-the-art penthouses in the City of London to complex, mixed-use regeneration schemes in Hendon.

Barratt London is part of Barratt Developments PLC, the UK's largest housebuilder.

About Barratt Developments

Barratt Developments plc sold 17,579 homes in the year to June 2018, making it the biggest housebuilder by volume in Britain. Over the past six years Barratt Group has increased its housing output by 40% - building more of the homes the country needs. Barratt is committed to building quality homes and this year received more NHBC Pride in the Job awards than any other housebuilder and retained its HBF 5 star rating for customer satisfaction for 11 years in a row. For more information visit www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk