EDDIE Howe revealed how keeping up a regular exercise regime “has been huge for my own mental wellbeing” amid English football’s lockdown.

The Cherries boss has now not seen his players or staff in the flesh for one month, with Cherries sent home from training on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League has since been suspended indefinitely, with the Dorset club’s players working on their fitness schedules, which include using exercise bikes and weights from home.

And Howe has also been maintaining his own fitness routine, in a bid to help keep his mind fresh while being away from the training ground.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s actually been a totally different way of life for me in the sense of the normal routines (in football) that I have gone through and had for such a long time. This is the first time that has probably changed.

“Keeping fit for me has been huge for my own mental wellbeing. I have always tried to stay fit all my life.

“I think your mood and everything is lifted once you exercise, so that’s something that’s never changed.”

Howe did manage to put his fitness to the ultimate test last month before the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were put in place.

He played his part as the Julia’s House HIIT Squad raised in excess of £33,000 by completing a two-hour fundraising workout challenge. The gruelling high intensity interval training ‘Insanity’ session included a series of squats, push-ups and lunges with various local businesses putting forward a representative to compete, including Julia’s House CEO Martin Edwards.

“Events like this are of huge importance for them,” said the Cherries boss, when reflecting on the gruelling workout.

“We trained really hard for the event, knew it was going to be really difficult.

“I was delighted to get through it and we raised a some good money for an unbelievable organisation. I made it look hard, from what I’ve seen of it! But it was two hours of hard graft.

“I was very pleased to get it done but I am still paying for it to this day.

“It’s been a few weeks since and I am still paying for it - my body has not recovered.”