The Best At Home Workouts
I feel like I have logged in to update this post so many times, but at-home workouts have evolved so much over the past year! I first wrote this roundup solely because they are a convenient option during the winter. Since then, at-home workouts have become one of the ONLY options! What a time to be alive, huh?!
I discovered the beauty of an at-home workout years ago when I was trying to save money right out of college – and there weren’t even half of the options on this list available back then! In fact, I had a Crunch Fitness Pilates DVD that I’d play on my computer in my TINY room in New York City, and that (plus running around the reservoir in Central Park) was how I managed to get my exercise on a budget!
Luckily, the fitness industry and technology in general has advanced so much that skipping a gym membership or studio classes isn’t even a sacrifice anymore. You can get brand new, quality workouts right on your phone or computer at any time. Pretty darn cool.
While I personally love the energy that comes with group fitness, I’ve become a really big fan of my little setup at home. Even when we ARE allowed to go to studios, there are so many days when I can’t justify taking the time to walk to a workout, actually work out, and then walk back. Or I just don’t want to because there’s a snowstorm outside! So whether you’re hoping for weight loss, looking to build muscle, or just need a stress reliever – here are at home options to amp up your workout routine!
The Best At Home Workouts I’ve Tried
Peloton
By now it’s pretty clear that I am a Peloton app SUPERFAN. At the beginning of the pandemic, we got an affordable bike that we ride while streaming their classes through the app, and I am obsessed. The best part is that they have so much more than cycling, too. Even if you have no interest in ever getting a bike, their app membership is still such a steal (it’s only $12.99 + tax!). You can choose from strength classes, yoga, barre, pilates, meditation, and even outdoor runs. And they are currently offering 2 months FREE! Truly a no brainer.
Froyo to Fitness/Movement with MK
If you prefer to work out alone with your favorite music, I’d recommend FTF’s 12 Week Guide. I used it a lot back when I had a gym membership because it helped me feel like I knew what I was doing when I got off a cardio machine and headed towards the weights! Since then, she has also launched Zoom classes that you can sign up for on her website.
BBG
Not surprisingly, BBG is always recommended a million times! I understand why – each workout takes less than 30 minutes and they are mostly just bodyweight exercises that you can do ANYWHERE. That being said, I personally had trouble with the format. Each 7-minute circuit felt like eternity. And as I always say, you have to figure out a way to ENJOY exercising so it doesn’t feel like punishment!
Tone It Up
I’ve been a fan of the free videos on their YouTube channel for years. There are a ton available, I love that they’re short & sweet, and the girls are adorable. If you want to stick to at-home workouts more than just a YouTube video here and there, they also have a Tone It Up App that has even more videos + exclusive new videos every single week, so you never get bored. Plus, if you pay for the full year upfront, it only costs $8.33 a month! Even if you need to buy resistance bands for some of the workouts, that’s still a killer deal!
POPSUGAR Fitness
I love that POPSUGAR Fitness was recommended because I honestly forgot about them! I used to do their videos all the time a few years ago because they have so many different options. Choose from pilates to HIIT workouts, and from 5 minutes to 60 minutes.
Studio Three
Studio Three was one of my favorite studios before the pandemic hit, and I am so impressed with everything they have done to pivot over this past year. In addition to creating The Arena (a space where members can take classes outdoors and distanced), they also have LiveWithS3 classes, so you can participate over Zoom!
Barre3
One of my lovely followers told me about Barre3’s online classes when I asked for help writing my post about free/discounted fitness classes. If you love barre, but don’t want to pay to go to pricey studios in person, this is an amazing option. I will say that you’ll want to invest in the right props – my 5lb weights got heavy really quickly during some of the workouts, and I couldn’t try a few other videos I wanted to because I didn’t have ball. That being said, none of the props they use are expensive. If you’ll stick to barre workouts, I definitely recommend checking this out!
Kait Hurley
I did a free trial of Kait Hurley’s app after I saw Jules from Om & the City talk about it. She has high-intensity classes, audio-only running workouts, yoga flows, and meditation/restorative options. All in all, this is great for people who want workouts mixed with a little mindfulness and meditation.
yoga with adriene
I discovered Yoga with Adriene a while ago and while I prefer more of a full length vinyasa flow – I know not everyone does! You can find beginner classes, or even just a quick 10-20 minute stretch.
Most Popular Reader Favorites
Melissa Wood Health
There are so many die hard Melissa Wood Health fans out there! Her method is all about sculpting long lines using precise low impact movements. You can get access to all of her classes for $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, and she even has prenatal and postnatal classes for Mamas!
Housework
Housework has been another big quarantine favorite. Sydney Miller uses a combination of pilates and HIIT training, all set to electronic and house music. The app costs $24.99 a month or $224.99 for the year!
Aaptiv
One of my best gals swears by the app, so I figured it would be best for her to explain why it’s great!! “I’m not a natural gym rat, so I easily get overwhelmed with options both in the gym and at home. But Aaptiv has helped a ton! Whether I’m going for crow pose in my living room on a frigid day or sprinting way faster than I ever thought I could on a treadmill, the coach in my ears is pushing and supporting me through it. I get WAY more out of my workouts than I would on my own. Bonus – since they’re all audio workouts, you don’t feel like a crazy person doing them in public!” Thanks Kaitlin!
FitnessBlender
FitnessBlender was recommended a bunch of times and I couldn’t figure out why it sounded so familiar… so I went to my Pinterest page and there it was. 10 MINUTE ABS! I used to do this video a bunch when I didn’t have time to get a full workout in. They also have TON of other options – whether you want a cardio workout, bodyweight workouts, or even barre and yoga! They also have some workout plans that you can purchase to keep you on track.
SWEAT
If you want to start doing BBG, but you don’t think you’ll stick to the ebook workouts, SWEAT is what you need. This app has BBG and BBG Stronger workouts by Kayla Itsines, plus PWR/Post Pregnancy workouts by Kelsey Wells, and more.
Nike Training Club
This app has over 185 workouts with clear audio and visual guidance for every move. Oh, and it’s FREE!
P.volve
P.volve is a totally different type of workout than a lot of these other options. While other programs are about reps, these workouts focus on “precise movements that activate hard-to-reach muscles”. They’re all about working with your body instead of against it… I’m definitely curious about this!
Beachbody On Demand
Beachbody On Demand has over 700 workouts and a ton of specific programs. Most readers recommended 21 Day Fix and LIIFT4!
Pure Barre On Demand
I never knew this was even an option, but this is so great for people who love Pure Barre, but can’t always justify the cost of a membership there! Stream unlimited classes for just $29.99 a month.
Other Recs
Asics Studio App
B Present Studio Barre On Demand
Christine Salus YouTube Videos
FitGirlsGuide
Fitplan App
HASfit
Madeline Moves
Obe Fitness
Physique 57 On Demand
Did I miss any of your favorites?
Let me know in the comments!
PS. You might also like Our Peloton Bike Alternative, The Best Peloton Theme Rides, and All About [solidcore].
January 13, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
Great roundup! My fav is always Barre3! Next year is my year to take an in studio class on our trip to the States!
January 18, 2020 @ 11:53 am
Even though I make it to studio classes each week, I’m still an avid at-home exerciser. So, I’d love more posts about home workouts. I’ve started and stopped Barre 3 and other subscriptions over the years. But the one I never stop is my Suzanne Bowen Fitness subscription. She was the founder of BarreAmped. It’s only $9.95 per month and there are SO many workouts. It’s really effective too. I used to go to a BarreAmped class in my city, but the teacher stopped. I’m glad to have these online workouts as a backup.
January 5, 2021 @ 6:07 pm
Sydney Cummings Youtube Channel is amazing and really needs to be added to this list! She releases a new workout video every single day! She has playlists full of a wide variety of workouts including no equipment, HITT, cardio, Full Body Strength, Legs, Abs, Arms/Upper Body, Glutes, and stretch videos. The videos range from 10-60 minutes. She is great at coaching you through her workouts to make sure you have correct form and provides modifications to make the workouts harder or easier depending on your fitness level.
January 5, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
Forgot to mention all her workout videos are FREE!
January 5, 2021 @ 10:28 pm
The Sculpt Society by Megan Roup is amazing! Her workouts combine dance cardio and sculpting and range from 5 mins to 50 minutes. She focuses so much on body positivity, has such great energy and the workouts are efficient and effective!
January 6, 2021 @ 1:20 pm
Thank you for this roundup — at home workouts are really saving me this year! One of my favorite Pilates teachers, Katey Diaz, started an online platform this year called DelSol https://delsolfit.com. She has Pilates, strength, cardio, barre, and yoga workouts of varying lengths. Katey is the best — so supportive and fun. Great playlists and moves. Can’t recommend it enough. Also — only $10 a month! I’ve been a big fan since I regularly took her studio classes. She started DelSol right around the time I didn’t feel safe going to the studio anymore and I felt so lucky to still get my Katey workouts in. Seriously, try it!!