Photo: tribune.com.pk
For some people working out is an energy booster, but for others it’s more of a chore. And still for others it becomes a matter of fitting a workout into busy work/travel or family schedules. But whether you love it or hate it, getting in a daily shot of fitness is a requirement for staying healthy. Luckily these days there are a million ways to get your workout into a daily routine without ever getting bored. And even better most can be found online, and are either completely free or offer free trials so you can test the waters before committing.
Below is a quick list of some of our favorite online workout sites, as well as those that make the “top ten” lists regularly. All feature workouts of varying lengths, levels, and intensity, and include routines that require no equipment beyond a yoga mat.
General Workouts
Daily Burn: Started by famed trainer Bob Harper, best known for his role on The Biggest Loser, Daily Burn offers 19 categories of workouts (e.g. yoga, Tabata, kickboxing, core, dance, kettlebell) from “expert” trainers across multiple fields. Multiple workouts in each category and new classes added regularly ensure that you won’t get bored.
FitFusion: FitFusion is a fitness, health and wellness platform that provides a variety of video content from trainers such as Jillian Michaels (also from The Biggest Loser), Tara Stiles and the Tone It Up Girls, as well as through other providers such as Doonya Studios and YogaFit. Twelve different categories offer unique workouts, including cardio, indoor cycling, HIIT, prenatal, Tai Chi, and dance. Content can be accessed through a subscription to the FitFusion website, but also can be bought directly as a digital download or short-term rental.
Fitness Blender: Husband-and-wife fitness team Daniel and Kelli offer a donation and ad-based site that allows all general workouts to be free. Additional content for set workout and nutrition programs are offered as extras at cost. Almost 500 workouts can be sorted by time, calories burn, type (e.g. HIIT, yoga, barre, kettlebell, plyometric) and equipment needed.
Crunch Live: NYC’s Crunch gym offer more than 75 of their entertaining instructor-led classes, ranging from cardio to bootcamp to yoga to kickboxing. Classes run from 15-30 minutes ensuring a quick, efficient workout that fits into even the busiest schedule.
FitnessGlo: Offering set programs and individual classes that range from 5-60 minutes, Santa Monica-based FitnessGlo allows you to go with their flow or create your own playlist of workouts. FitnessGlo also tracks your progress on a personal dashboard to help you maintain the perfect balance of cardio, strength, and stretch.
POPSUGAR: POPSUGAR is a lifestyle brand, offering tips and tricks for everything from beauty to food to fitness. Their free Youtube fitness channel provides a healthy variety of workouts featuring POPSUGAR instructors and celebrity trainers from every ilk. There are workouts geared towards various timeframes and body parts, as well as strength-training, cardio, running, and yoga.
Yoga/Pilates/Barre
YogaGlo: More than 3,000 yoga classes are offered on YogaGlo, which are taught by internationally known yoga instructors. Classes range from level 1 up to level 3, and can be searched by time (five minutes to two hours), type of yoga (e.g. hatha, vinyasa, Ashtanga, restorative), and focus area. Lectures and workshops are also offered, as are online tutorials for specific poses. The YogaGlo blog offers “poses of the week” and ideas for beginners, cyclists, and runners, as well as “mommy and me” classes.
Blogilates: Started by Cassy Ho, Blogilates offers a free Youtube channel filled with videos of her POP Pilates and Bootcamp Sculpting workouts. Her Blogilates website features these video workouts, plus workout calendars, printable exercises, 30-day challenges, and routines for beginners.
Barre3: Based in Portland, OR, owner Sadie Lincoln offers online versions of Barre3’s popular classes, led by Barre3 trained instructors. Melding barre, yoga, and pilates workouts, the Barre3 classes aim to strengthen and lengthen the body through low-impact movements. Ten, 20, 40, and 60-minute classes are offered focusing on core, upper body, lower body, total body, or post-natal, or pre-natal workouts.
