Still leery of heading to the gym? Whether you’re a cautious individual or an immuno-compromised one, sometimes the physical gym just isn’t an option. Even as some gyms begin to reopen, you may have reason to stay away for the time being.
As an avid endurance runner, I must admit — my gym alternative is the norm. Running (or walking, cycling, etc.) outside is a great way to get exercise while maintaining social distancing. That said, I recognize that not everyone has the means, time, or available location to do so safely and effectively.
Thankfully, there are plenty of free fitness resources available for use at home. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best out there, whether you’re an avid CrossFit enthusiast or family man looking to get the kids up off the couch. For this list, I wanted to focus primarily on services that truly are free — not just a free trial. That said, if there is a subscription element or a premium version, it will be noted.
7 Free Fitness Resources to Use At Home
1) YMCA 360
YMCA 360is an online service that provides exercises and workouts for people of all ages and fitness levels. They have core conditioning, dance, boot camp, weightlifting, and more. I think the most beneficial thing about YMCA 360, however, is that it offers exercises based not only on style and type but on age group. There are specific categories for kids and youth exercises, plus a category for older adults.
While their library isn’t particularly extensive, the variety and family-friendly approach are what makes this one stand out.
2) Fitness Blender
While Fitness Blenderdoes have its fair share of premium features through their Plus program, they also have a library of nearly 600 free workout videos. What stands out is their filter system. Even in the free version, you can sort workouts by a variety of factors — length, caloric burn, difficulty, type of exercise (cardio, flexibility, toning, balance, etc.) and required equipment. It makes it easy to find precisely what you’re looking for.
3) Exceed Workout Channel
Youtube fitness can be hit-or-miss. The Exceed Workout channel, however, is exceptional. The bulk of their content is for full-body, but they also have targeted exercise. Their instructional videos last between 20 and 45 minutes, typically, and they encourage mixing and matching videos to build your own routine.
Exceed itself is a gym based in New York City, so you know that the content you get is produced by professionals.
4) SworkIt
SworkItis a daily fitness app designed to promote healthy activity through their “at-home and on-the-go” personal trainer app. This app does its best to work around your schedule, filling the time that you have — whether it’s five minutes or fifty — with effective and targeted workouts.
The real gem here, though, is their dedication to kids. While adults contend with a $10/month subscription (or $60 for a year), all kids’ workouts are completely free. If you want to get your children up and moving with a regular exercise routine, SworkIt is worth checking out.
5) Nike Training Club
While formerly a premium subscription, the Nike Training Clubis free until further notice. That’s great news for you and me! The app features trainer-designed programs that include everything from bodyweight-only exercises to equipment-based, cardio, yoga, strength training, and mobility. If you were ever interested in the app, now is the time to give it a try.
6) Nike Run Club
I had to include something running-related on a list like this. The Nike Run Clubincludes progress tracking for runners, guided runs, personalized runs, and competition between friends and users. There are a lot of different apps out there for runners, but this app from Nike boasts robust features that are great for new runners and seasoned pros alike.
7) Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer
Most of the time, we are busy professionals fighting a time crunch. The Daily Workouts Fitness Trainerunderstands that. The key here is simplicity. They offer hundreds of targeted workouts ranging from 5 minutes to full-body workouts that clock in up to 30 minutes. You can randomize your exercises to keep you on your toes, fit in a bit of cardio on a busy day, or build your own ideal workout routine.
How are you staying in-shape while at home? Share your best tips in the comments.