With many of us temporarily locked out of our gyms, or confined to the four walls of our home (we’re looking at you 14-day isolation, you frustrating and entirely necessary beast), here is no better time to wander into your living room, turn the TV on and hit play on… an online workout.
Without the barriers of having to find two matching socks and actually get up and walk out the front door, we really have no excuses left. So, let’s change the game and have this COVID-19 isolation give us the opportunity to find our healthiest and fittest selves yet.
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RELATED: Why you should try a HIIT workout
Plus, exercise has been proven to ease anxiety and improve your mental health. So if you don’t want to do it for your body, do it for your brain.
Here’s our edit of the best workout apps and online tools for an at-home sweat sesh.
#1 Keep it Cleaner
KIC’s online fuss-free program run by Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire-Smith offers HIIT, strength, boxing, meditation and yoga workouts all available without having to leave the comfort of your own home (not that you really had the option anyway…).
Image credit: @keepitcleaner
#2 Down Dog
For all you homebound yogi’s out there, Down Dog lets you personalise your flow by selecting the intensity, length and style of yoga that best suits your practice. You can even customise your savasana period, in case you need an extra minute (or 10) to unwind.
And the best news is, the app is currently free until the end of the week, (1st April 2020)!
They also offer a Barre version for those who like a more Pilates based work out.
#3 Flow Athletic
Flow Athletic’s studio located in Sydney’s (normally) bustling suburb of Paddington, is run by trainer Ben Lucas and Yoga extraordinaire Kate Kendall. The duo have quickly adapted to our current climate and are offering over 60 + live streamed classes per week.
If you’re looking for a strength, Pilates, Yoga or spin (yes it helps if you’ve got a bike) then check out Flow Athletic and join a live virtual workout with some of Australia’s top trainers.
#4 Joja
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t be motived by Victoria’s Secret models and friends Jospehine Skriver and Jasmin Tookes. They are sharing their work outs via the @joja Instagram and Youtube channel here.
So grab your housemate, partner, soft toy, dog.. and have a go at one of their videos. It doesn’t say anywhere in the fine print that you won’t turn into a super model after one session.
Image credit: @joja
If you’ve been wanting to try Kylie Jenner’s hips and waist routine, or Meghan Markle’s arm, butt and ab work out. Jump on over to Blogilates youtube channel, along with the 4.8 million subscribers and get squatting.
Founder, Cassey Ho leaves no workout stone unturned, with her quick body-blasting videos – all of which are apartment friendly!
#6 Fluid Form Pilates
With a loyal celeb following including Lara Worthington and Phoebe Burgess, founder of the popular Sydney Pilates studio, Kirsten King, is bringing her one-on-one sessions to the comfort of your living room.
Access over 150 custom Pilates workouts, suitable from beginner level to advanced, and start lengthening your limbs and toning up your tummy.
Plus, receive a free equipment pack including exercises disks, bands and a ball when you sign up, here.
Image credit: @fluidformpilates
#7 Peaches Pilates
For full-body toning, Peaches Pilates offers both high-intensity workouts and soothing yoga sessions, with weekly live sessions that include ab workouts, booty-burning routines and boxing videos guaranteed to raise your heart rate.
Plus, if working from home has got your neck and back in all sorts of pain, Peaches also offers posture-improving videos to relieve muscle pain and straighten you out.
Image credit: @peachespilates
#8 Kirsty Godso
Nike Master Trainer Kirsty Godso is offering free quick workouts via her Instagram page. The mobility, core, strength and cardio mashups are completely free and available to you anytime. Just visit her page @kirstygodso and have a scroll. *Kirsty’s abs are not guaranteed*
Image credit: @kirstygodso
#9 The Pilates Class
Designed for every ‘body’, The Pilates Class offers a one-size-fits-all workout platform.
Whether you prefer the ballet-inspired Barre, mat Pilates, high-intensity interval training or a deep stretch, founder Jacqui Kingswell brings you her own personal method of getting into shape and staying there.
Image credit: @thepilatesclass
If a quarantine six-pack or yogi guru headstand isn’t your goal. Then have a go at some of these just to keep your mental health in check and add some routine and structure into your day:
- JS Health app
- Centrfit – Free for 6 weeks!
Main image credit: @cyd_morris
Have you tried any of these apps or online tools? Are there any others you’d recommend?
i need this
So cool! I must start looking for workouts online. Still trying to get outside for at least a walk each day. Even if it’s a stroll
I agree!!! I’ve only been walking . But mainly for my mental sanity haha
I like these too!! But yes home is a real struggle for me !
How exciting! Where are you hoping to move to ?
Thanks for putting my onto blogilates! Her 2020 Challenge looks really good!
I’ve been doing yoga with Alo Moves and finding the instruction and flows really great. For getting sweaty I’ve been loving HIIT workouts from Heather Robertson’s youtube channel.
Currently trying to break up my working from home hours with a quick yoga session during the day because my home office set up is not great for my back.
Hi Rpear,
I have no idea where I will end up. At present made it across the border to Queensland so I could look around but that isn’t happening now due to restrictions in place but I am staying with friends at least. Hoping this terrible nightmare will be over in a couple of months and we can all try to get back to some semblance of ordinary life. Also was hoping to do some travel, both Australia and overseas but that doesn’t look good for quite a long time. Guess just staying healthy is all we can hope for at the moment.
Happy Easter!
I recommend Down Dog too!
I’ve really liked using Les Mills On Demand while the gyms have been closed.
Nope. Home exercise just not happening as my backs stuffed. Need a pool at the gym and even that feels dodgy ATM.
I’ve been going on lots of walks but I do want to mix it up so I can build muscle
Its a good idea, especially if you have done these in a class before. Just doing my own thing at the moment.
True! I wonder which one’s are the most motivating – I suppose that’s worth checking them all out before choosing to see which one’s are the most attractive to do. Everyone being different it’s good there is many to choose from.
Yeh motivation – it might be easier if I rope my daughter in (who is on school holidays in lockdown with me atm).
It’s meant to be rainy over the next couple of days so I could be joining you!
Yeah I like that they look after the warming up and warming down too – makes it pretty good for the muscles and I don’t even have to think about it.
Yeah I love getting outside and dosing up on Vitamin D while I’m ‘exercising’ .
Wow that’s an amazing stance in #9!!
I appreciate ideas and links especially if it’s gonna be rainy! I love walking my dog (for a good hour a day) or riding the bike in the sun normally but if it’s rainy I could be doing one of these.
So many online Trainers these days, being under Lockdown we need someone to help boost your own self esteem that I think it is so much better to have online Trainers. Especially if you are self conscious about going to a Gym.
When we had to shutdown work for 11 weeks I did 28 by Sam Wood and loved it.
Great, so many choices…for everyone. I do not know of any online/app things myself, but do my own yoga practices. At home or outdoors where there is nice and quiet.
I walk the dog. I can’t get away with not doing it! She gives me ‘the look’, and then she goes and stares at the leash! How could I not!
We need this
Yes only 28 minutes and the beauty is you don’t need equipment just basic things like chairs and steps at home. 🙂
Motivation is always my downfall. I will try to do a few runs this week in lockdown and maybe a few online workouts. The Fitbit app has a few free workouts too.
Spam below – 2 count.
BH, please remove.
I’ve heard so many positives from his program.
Are the workouts short sessions?
Oh my gosh, me too!
Mine always start with a sprint and I always tell him, we are not running.
He is a good motivator for my morning runs.
I hate disappointing him.
A good list, I had never heard of them before.
I am doing barre sessions that I’ve put together myself from attending 100+ studio sessions to get some muscles back after not exercising from being pregnant.
And stating to do some bush walks with the family on the weekend.
That’s convenient!
No 9. How did she get into that position with the small space available and the wall in the way? …..hhmm
I’m doing my own push up challenge whilst in lockdown
Good to see this article!
Kirsty Godso is great, still working on getting her abs though!
I want to get the blogilates happening again.
My two favourite for yoga is Yoga with Adriene and Yoga with Tim – both mostly free and wonderful.
I’ve tried online yoga and pilates, and although it’s fine at the time, I don’t keep going long enough to see results.
Absolutely no motivation. I need to get back on my exercise bike. OMG I haven’t exercised in so long I’m not even sure if I spelt it right!!
or DIY walk, dance, yoga…..
I’m just doing my own thing at present – a walk and a bit of Pilates.
I love walking so that’s my thing.
Oh my gosh the smoothies!! Yes!! I still make the one with the pepitas, bananas, nutmeg, vanilla protein, peanut butter and almond milk for my husband and I every morning for brekky. 🙂
I did this too Saffy. The smoothie recipes from the meal plan tasted so naughty but weren’t naughty at all. I still make them now. And the exercises were easy but sure got my heart pumping. I tried Tiffxo after Sam Wood but didn’t like it at all.
Not tried any of them. I prefer to go out side to do my exercises. May be i need to follow this during the lock down time.
You spelt it right! You can do it!
I need to stretch and I’ve found some good vids on youtube by various physios
My dogs have perfected that “look” too and after a while my male dog starts to nag at me by making sooky sounds
Haha! Yep! She’s really good at that!
I have been running a lot to my favourite tunes
Interesting article, thank you 🙂