What’s a gal to do when her typical places to exercise or workout away from home are no longer available? Let’s coin a new term and call it a “work-in”! And though it may be tempting to throw your hands up in the air (and not in a weight-training way) and not exercise, moving our bodies is so important to our overall health. I recently read a fantastic book called The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal that uses scientific research to help us understand why exercise helps us feel our best. The book explains “how movement is intertwined with some of the most basic human joys, including self-expression, social connection, and mastery–and why it is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.” Antidote to anxiety and loneliness?? Sounds like just what we all need!
I belong to an online fitness community called the #FFCrew, where the FF stands for Fellow Flowers. If you’re looking to join an empowering online group of women who support each other in their fitness goals, you should definitely check it out. Recently a post was created for members to share their favorite ways to “work-in,” and here are the highlights. One thing to take into account for these workouts is if they have apps/casting in common streaming platforms so you can view them on your television vs. using a tablet or phone screen (if that is what you prefer).
Recommended From My Own Experience:
Down Dog Fitness Apps: Yoga, HIIT Workouts, 7 Minute Workout, & Barre Workouts.
These workouts are amazing! I actually have a paid subscription for this yoga app, because it has proven to be such an amazing way to get yoga back into my life. One of my favorite aspects of the Down Dog Fitness app is that you get to customize the workout to your specifications. For instance, to do a yoga workout, you select the type and level of yoga, the time for the workout, the amount of time for savasana, any boosts (such as hip flexor stretches or balance), the type of music, and the voice of the instructor. Then, once you’ve made your selections, it processes the data and creates a yoga sequence to match your specifications. There is also a separate app for yoga beginners. All of Down Dog’s fitness apps are currently free through 5/1/2020.
Global Cycling Network YouTube Rides
If you have a spin bike or stationary trainer for your bike, I have really enjoyed using the Global Cycling Network YouTube training video rides they offer on their channel. There’s a nice variety of durations and types of rides (intervals, HIIT, etc.) to keep some variety in your spin life. These videos are free, but you may have to wait through an ad.
Beach Body On Demand
My primary experience with Beach Body workouts is from their DVD workout programs such as T25 and P90x, etc. The On Demand aspect means you can get access to their entire line of workout series through the subscription. There is a 14 day free trial option (the 3 month subscription doesn’t bill until 14 days in). Bonus: if you reach out to a local BeachBody coach to get set up, you’re helping out a local business owner.
Recommended By Others:
These recommendations came from close friends who use them. The paid subscription options have free trials you can use to check them out:
- Fitness Blender (always free): From their website, “We believe fitness should be accessible to everyone, everywhere, regardless of income or access to a gym. That’s why we offer hundreds of free, professionally built workout videos, for every fitness level and goal.”
- Nourish Move Love (free YouTube videos): From their website: “Nourish Move Love is a health + fitness blog that helps women create a lifestyle and body they love.” Workout options are full body or work on targeted areas, with a nice variety of durations to choose from.
- Obe fitness (free trial available): Offers live and on-demand fitness classes at a variety of difficulty levels. Classes are divided into 3 categories: DEFINE (strength-based classes), SWEAT (cardio-based classes) and FLOW (yoga & stretch). There are also prenatal and postnatal workout options.
- Peloton app (now offering a 90 day free trial): Offers strength, boot camp, treadmill, yoga, cycling, and outdoor running classes live or on-demand.
- Studio app (free 7 day trial): Take treadmill, strength, and stretching classes on your own time.
- Yoga with Adriene (free YouTube videos): From their channel: “We welcome all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls! Browse our library of free yoga videos to find a practice that suits your mood or start a journey toward healing.”
So don’t let gym and group fitness closures inhibit your exercise goals. Create a new workout routine at home. If you have an at-home “work-in” to recommend, please share it in the comments below!
