Home workouts have been on the rise over the last few years and since lockdowns shut down gyms and leisure centres, fitness companies had to adapt and create more user-friendly apps so people could keep fit at home.
There are so many fitness apps on the market nowadays, it can be hard to navigate which one will work for you and which ones to use if you’re a beginner or an expert. So, grab your yoga mat, plug in the tablet and find out which workout app is best for you!
Which home workout apps to use?
Les Mills – £12.99 a month / £35.97 3 monthly / £119.88 a year
One of the most popular apps on the market at the minute, Les Mills has a wide range of different classes, from non-equipment classes such as Sh’Bam and Bodycombat to spin classes and even new classes for children. It’s a whole package with varying degrees of difficulty and time per class so you can find the ideal workout for you.
All classes are led by a range of fitness instructors and use different levels of intensity throughout the class in case you are a beginner and not ready to do the full-on exercises that the instructors do.
Les Mills is a great way of keeping fit, with so many different classes, you can find your favourite or do a new one every week.
Fiit – £20 a month / £120 a year
Fiit is another app that has done exceptionally well over the lockdown period. It also partners with Sky for a reduced price, which is definitely worth looking into. This app has all sorts of different workout options including HIIT, strength, yoga and Pilates. You can also shop at the Fiit store to get a range of equipment to use. They have smaller bits of kit, like dumbbells and kettlebells and a tracker to make sure you’re hitting your targets in your workout. They also have a treadmill and bike packages for you to get so you can use them with their realistic instructor-led classes.
All classes are led by an instructor and with a time-tracker on the bottom, you can see exactly where you’re up to and where the exercise changes and rests are.
A really functional and user-friendly app, both on Sky Q and tablet/mobile.
Jillian Michaels Fitness – $14.99 per month / $34.99 3 monthly / $119.99 a year
Not just a fitness app, but an all-round health and wellbeing app – Jillian Michaels has expanded her hugely successful 30-day shred workout into a full subscription-based health app. Her website boasts hundreds of quick and easy recipes that anyone can try, for any sort of dietary requirement. The app has hundreds of workouts, from running, core and walking to pre-natal, bootcamps and even audio only so you can do them in the gym, without having to stream.
Stream on your smart tv or through the app and listen to her podcast outside the exercises to ensure your mindset to exercise and food has a chance to change as well as your body.
FitOn – Free / $69.99 for 6 months / $99.99 a year
FitOn is one of our free options – it is free as long as you want to be, or you can be $70 to have all the services that FitOn provides. It has a great range of different fitness workouts, including strength and HIIT options. With searchable options for low impact, without equipment and with kids, it is a workout app that is accessible for everyone.
The pro version of the app does include customised meal plans, digital coaching, music and integration with your fitness tracker. You also get over 500 recipes and digital coaching which is worth it if you have been exercising a while and have got a bit complacent.
The app includes celebrity trainers which does add to its appeal – work out with Julianne Hough, Cassey Ho or Gabrielle Union and get their advice and guidance.
All of these apps usually have free trials from between 7 – 14 days, so it is worth checking them out before you spend any money.
Youtube Workouts
For those who don’t want to fork out on an app – you can use YouTube to find a workout. There are so many personal trainers, fitness instructors and gyms who went online through YouTube during the pandemic, who have hundreds of videos online now.
Joe Wicks
Who can forget getting up with the kids to do PE with Joe – we know people who still do this without the kids as it’s easy and accessible? Joe has a huge online presence, and he does have an app where you can sign up to his fitness classes and his recipes, but if you just want something quick and simple – YouTube is the way forward.
With literally thousands of workouts, from his lockdown PE sessions to his general workouts, there is something for everyone here. Joe brings his personality to each and every class and it is quite nice to see him getting worn out from his own exercises!
Yoga with Adriene
Adriene is a force to be reckoned with, millions of subscribers and thousands of yoga videos for each ability, from beginners to experts and even a section for runners. She has grown the workouts and is a favourite for many people who need something from 10 to 45 minutes.
Adriene also covers different areas where you might be struggling, she has videos that can help with certain types of pain, anxiety or morning reflection. She also runs 30-day challenges for those who want to have support getting into daily yoga.
Leslie Sansome’s Walk at Home
Bear with us, walking at home doesn’t seem possible, but it is a great workout! Leslie has various different levels of difficulty and a nostalgic feel of 1980s videos – which is why they do so well. Her upbeat nature is not to be undermined – you’ll be sweating a lot after one of her 45-minute interval workouts.
Crack out the neon lycra and feel the burn!
When working out at home, don’t forget to wear your fitness tracker. There are many on the market and most of the apps mentioned will connect with them. Some fitness apps also have workouts or coaches on them so you can get the very best out of your watch.
Strava
Strava is the main go-to for people who run or cycle – you may have heard the phrase “If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen,” and so it is well-known by fitness apps for integrating with it easily and quickly. Strava has a free and a premium option – the free option is basic with just recording and tracking available. The premium version is around £8 a month and includes route planning and goal setting weekly, monthly and yearly. There are also regular challenges on Strava run by various clubs and with some you can even get free fitness gear, money off vouchers or enter competitions. Strava works with nearly all smartwatches and fitness trackers
Apple
The Apple Watch has been a success over the last 7 years, with new watches being released nearly every year. It uses the same technology as the iPhone and connects seamlessly with Apple technology. The watch app allows you to see your data in real-time and track a whole variety of exercise. With the ability to set goals and create workouts, it’s the perfect companion for Apple users.
Garmin
Garmin Connect is the app to connect your Garmin smartwatch – it is very similar to Strava in that you can record and track your exercise. However, it also has various badges available for certain challenges and the chance to create and download workouts and get coaching from Garmin’s very own team of high-class coaches. Garmin Connect is free but does only work with Garmin trackers.
Fitbit
Like Garmin, this is the tracker app for FitBit trackers and smartwatches. It does cost around £69 per year, but you get loads with it, challenges that you can do solo or with friends and family, workouts, recipes and badges and goal-setting options.
With so many different apps for working out, YouTube workouts and tracking your exercise it can be an absolute minefield to discover which one will work for you. Hopefully this article has helped you decide on what you’ll use and what exercises work for you. To look at more exercise hints and tricks, check out our blog here.
Lockdown has seen many things make a comeback, including the home workout. Loads of people are choosing to work up a sweat this way, but if you’re hesitant about giving it a go then fear not – we’re here to give you some tips!
How to workout at home
Location, location, location
If you’re living with housemates or family, you probably won’t want to be somewhere too noisy or cramped. Because of that, it’s best to find a room where you’re less likely to be interrupted. A spare room, bedroom or even your garden – it doesn’t need to be huge, but should give you enough space to stretch out!
Find some equipment (if you need any)
Some people are put off home workouts because they think they need expensive equipment. This isn’t always the case: push-ups, yoga or even Zumba can all be done without any equipment. What’s more, if you’re in need of inspiration, there are lots of free resources available online.
Stick to a schedule
Home is full of distractions. There’s always something else that needs to be done, but try to commit to a timeslot for your workout if you can. Not only will it get you motivated, but because you’re at home, you aren’t bound by opening times or class sizes. That means that if you work best at the crack of dawn or you’re more of a night owl, you can work out at the time that’s best for you!
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