I've always been a person that loves to exercise at home. While gyms have a wide range of classes and equipment, I find the overall atmosphere to be intimidating. There's way more friction to get dressed and drive to the gym than walk into the living room. Plus, I don't have to wait for any machines or the set of dumbbells I need.
That said, I've had a lot of experience exercising at home and I've rounded up my favorites.
POPSUGAR Fitness- As a dietetic intern, I used these videos a few times a week for almost a year. I love that these don't require much equipment (if any) and there is a wide variety of genres to choose from such as Tabata, yoga, kickboxing and dance cardio. The trainers are fun and the classes usually don't exceed 45 minutes.
SWEAT- Kayla Itsines, a personal trainer out of Australia, designed a workout app with an emphasis on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Although this app has a fee ($20/mo. or $120/year), I've found the the structure to be beneficial. One of my greatest challenges is not that I don't like to exercise, but I'm not sure what to do. The app itself is pretty comprehensive, with multiple trainers, workout programs, meal plans and calendar tracking. I appreciate the program progression, it feels like I have my own personal trainer. That said, I would still recommend this app for experienced exercisers, even the beginner programs. This also takes some modifications for apartment dwellers (ahem, burpees and broad jumps) so as not to disturb the neighbors downstairs.
Fitness Blender- Exercise physiologists and personal trainers I worked with frequently recommended Fitness Blender videos to patients. The instructors are high quality and the workouts are carefully designed. My favorite videos are the strength training, which require a few dumbbells in different weights. I also like that I can use my own Spotify playlist because there isn't any background music.
Foldable Stationary Bike- I knew that I wanted a stationary bike but I also knew that 1) I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I wasn't sure I would use it. 2) I didn't want anything that would take up too much space in my apartment. I love the convenience of having a small, foldable bike that can be easily tucked away. On days I just want leisurely exercise, this is perfect for putting on a good show and mindlessly peddling.
Yoga with Adriene- I've been a fan of Adriene for years. She has a warm, soothing voice and has videos for just about anything. I tend to carry tension in my upper back and neck and her videos are perfect for relaxation.
What are your favorite ways to exercise at home? Comment below.
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