You don’t have to join a gym, or go to a swimming pool or recreation centre to work out. You can exercise in the comfort of your own home with these free online workout routines and resources. Whether it’s general exercise, dancing or even yoga, the internet has something for everyone at every fitness level.
General fitness
Fitness Blender is a comprehensive website that offers free exercise videos for people at all fitness levels. When you visit their home page, click on “Search Workouts.” There, you’ll have the option to choose workouts from Level 1(easiest) to Level 5 (hardest).
You can choose which type of workout you’d like – upper body, core, lower body, or total body workout – and the type of training you’d like to do (choices include balance, yoga, stretching, cardiovascular or low-impact). Finally, you can choose the type of equipment you want to use – such as jump rope, aerobic step, barbell, or exercise band; “no equipment” is also an option.
This easy-to-navigate site offers more than 100 workout videos, most of which are approximately five minutes long.
The You Tube channel Be Fit offers a range of exercise options for beginners and those who are more experienced. A number of well-known fitness experts contribute to the channel, including Jillian Michaels and Jane Fonda. You can search the video catalogue and find the exercise that’s right for you – whether it’s beginner-level cardio walking or a “slim & tone” workout
Dancing
If you want to channel your inner Beyoncé or Justin Timberlake, visit the You Tube channel Dance Class Video. There you’ll find hundreds of dance videos that you can do alone, or with a partner. The site offers many beginner-level videos, if you’re just starting out, as well as medium- and difficult-level workouts. Whether hip-hop, waltz, rumba, samba, ballet, or swing is your thing, you’ll be sure to work up a sweat while having a lot of fun!
Yoga
If yoga is your favourite source of exercise and stress relief, visit Do Yoga With Me. The website offers hundreds of free online yoga videos created by a group of experienced instructors. At the site’s home page, you can choose from beginner, intermediate or advanced workouts; you can also choose the length of the yoga class (from less than 20 minutes to longer than 60 minutes) and the style of yoga you’d like to do (there are many to choose from, including hatha yoga, power yoga, yoga at work and ashtanga yoga). If you’re a regular at the site and have a favourite instructor, you can also choose who you want to lead the class. The website also includes instructional videos on poses and breathing techniques.
These workout websites show that you an exercise in the privacy of your own home – no gym required! – and still reap the rewards that physical activity has to offer.
