Where we live, most gyms are open and operating under certain guidelines, such as mandatory mask wearing and social distancing. Everyone has their own comfort level though, and some people may not feel ready for in-person workouts at a gym.
Fortunately, there are many at home fitness options to choose from. From practically free to a little bit pricey, here are some of my top picks for working out at home.
Most Affordable: At-Home Workouts on YouTube
YouTube has a ton of free fitness content to stream whenever you want. Yes, most of these are supported by ads, but you can usually skip over those after a few seconds.
My favorite YouTube channel for free fitness videos is Fitness Blender. Run by a husband and wife duo, their motto is, “We believe fitness should be accessible to everyone, everywhere, regardless of income level or access to a gym.” How cool is that?
Their videos range from 5 minutes to 85 minutes, with something for every level, whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete.
I’m sharing two of my favorite videos in this post , but you can view their whole YouTube library here.
Sometimes, when I have more time, I’ll stack two or three of the shorter videos into one workout session. Their longer workouts, such as the Fat Burning Cardio Workout I share here, will give you an excellent workout in less than 40 minutes.
Fitness Blender also has a website, where you can join as a member for free to track your workouts, set a calendar, and access most of their content. They do offer a paid subscription option for ads-free access and more features, but I get by on the free version just fine.
So other than the cost for your workout gear and the internet you already pay for, you can get a great workout for free on good old YouTube.
Mid-Range: Beachbody
I know you probably have that Facebook friend who is a Beachbody coach. And perhaps he or she has tried to get you to sign up. So hear me out on this one (and no, I am not a Beachbody coach).
While I don’t know much about their various supplements or protein shakes, I LOVE Beachbody’s many workout programs. They are effective, and whatever your fitness level or goals, you can find something in their library.
For $99 a year, I have access to 1,500+ different workout videos, plus workout calendars, nutrition tips, and progress trackers. From cardio and strength training, to running and yoga, there is something for everyone with a Beachbody on Demand subscription.
Even a budget gym membership costs $20 a month, on average, and does not include such a wide range of workout classes that you can stream whenever you want. With Beachbody on Demand, I get all of that and more, for only $8.25 per month.
Plus, if you have multiple people in your household using your subscription instead of paying for a gym, you could save your family hundreds of dollars a year.
What I also appreciate is how easy it is to stream the workouts. Once you add the Beachbody app to your smart TV and save your login, getting started is as easy as turning your TV on and then choosing which workout you’d like to do that day.
The interface is very user friendly as well. You can filter by how long a workout is, intensity level, and even category, such as cardio or strength training.
The first Beachbody program I tried was 21 Day Fix. At the time, I purchased the program on DVD, without the on-demand streaming service. I credit this program for finally getting me to workout with weights so I could build up some healthy muscle. I am a total cardio junkie, and if I could just go for a run every day, I probably would.
While I won’t pretend to have a degree in exercise science, what I do know is that incorporating different kinds of physical activity into your routine will help you see better results. It has certainly worked for me.
I could go on and on about Beachbody on Demand, but I think you should just go check it out for yourself. They have a 30 day money back guarantee, and if you only want to commit to a few months, they offer 6 and 3 month options as well.
But before I move on, I’ll leave you with my top 5 Beachbody programs
HOT TIP: When you click on each of the program links above, they all offer a FREE sample workout- well, except 22 Min Hard Corp. But you could probably easily get into shape with Beachbody just through these sample workouts. 😉
If you are seriously thinking about giving Beachbody a try, please let me know in the comments. I have an awesome coach right now, who has never once tried to upsell me to buy more products. She also offers fantastic accountability groups that you can join on Facebook if you wish. These can be very helpful when you are looking for a supportive group to keep you on track with your goals.
Investment Option: Treadmill
Did I mention I am a total cardio junkie? Perhaps it was my years on the cross country team, or maybe it’s because I can listen to all my favorite jams and just space out for a bit while I run…so…I do really love to run. I’m not very fast anymore, but give me the open road or a treadmill, and I’ll be happy for the next 30 minutes. After that, I’ll be too tired to move.
I am no stranger to running in freezing temperatures. I’m from the Finger Lakes in Upstate, NY, after all. I love running outside. But sometimes, it’s just not an option. Some days, I can’t get my workout in until 9 PM, and I am not keen on running by myself in the dark. Or if my husband is out during Bianca’s nap (my workout time during the weekends), I obviously can not leave the house. Luna is a great dog, but she isn’t exactly nanny material.
When running outside is not an option, I am very grateful to have a treadmill in our basement. I am also very grateful to my husband who found the model we have: the ProForm Proshox 3. At about $550, he found a great deal on it at Home Depot, about three years ago.
It continues to be a great treadmill to this day, with good elevation options and lots of programs built in. What is most important to me though, is the sturdiness of this treadmill. With some treadmills, you get that annoying bouncy feeling with every step, and even some repetitive squeakiness. I’ve never experienced either of those with this model, even after three years of continuous use.
Unfortunately, I don’t think ProForm sells this model anymore, but if you are interested in learning about the brand, they have a website with more information. From my initial search, their latest models seem to start around $699. I would love to hear about a treadmill that has served you well over the years.
Also, I really want to hear about what you do on the treadmill. The Nike Run Club app offers guided runs, and you can stream your favorite music from Spotify or Apple Music during your workout. I typically only use the Nike app when I am running outside in good old Mendon, but I’ve been meaning to learn more about how I can make my treadmill runs more interesting with help from an app.
Whether I am running on the treadmill or running outside, the music I listen to makes all the difference in my energy level. So in closing, I will leave you with a playlist of my favorite running tunes to pump you up on on your next run.
And don’t act surprised when you listen to what’s on my playlist. 😜
This is great Diana! Thanks for sharing!! I have BOD and love it!! PiYo is awesome and so is Chalene Extreme for weights!! Looking forward to also checking out the YouTube channel you recommended!!
Dina, thank you for reading! And I have not tried PiYo or Charlene Extreme yet, but now I know which programs I’ll be trying out next. Do you have any favorite workouts from either of them? Sometimes I switch around to different programs, though I also like going through programs from start to finish to see the results progression.