Hi you lot, hope you are all doing well and keeping safe. Today I wanted to chat about some of my favourite at home workouts, as obviously with what’s going on at the moment, the gyms are closed and our regular workout routines may have taken a different direction.
I was really worried when I heard about the gym closing, because going to the gym is something that really helps with my mental health, and also helps to break up my day as I work from home.
I’ve never been very good with motivating myself to work out from home before, so I was a little anxious that all my hard work would go down the pan, but I needn’t have worried as there are so many amazing ways to workout from home.
Of course, let me start by saying that you shouldn’t feel like you should work out right now, there’s a narrative online at the moment talking about ‘lockdown weight gain’ and social media can seem filled with people running 5k like they’re Mo Farah ( I’m convinced most of the people on my facebook are doing 5k on their bike cause none of them can run that fast surely) and it can make you feel quite shite.
I’ve been trying to keep to a workout routine just because i find it does wonders for my mental health, and just really helps when I’m feeling anxious but I also don’t push myself. Last week, PMS Patricia entered the building, and old Pat gets moody, tired and un motivated, so I worked out twice last week and that’s totally okay.
But if you are looking to do some working out, I thought I’d share my favourite apps and workouts at the moment
So at the gym normally I do Les Mills classes, I’m a huge Body Pump fan, so it’s been great having the app to do the same classes at home. I’ve been trying to get my hands on a barbell since lockdown began and I swear it would be easier to find Jack’s magic beans than a 20kg barbell under £100 at the moment. I do have some dumbells so I can cope.
I’ve also been doing attack and GRIT (fucking hell almost died but would probably do it again because exercise is weird, you love and hate it equally at the same time.) Body Combat is also good, and enjoying being un- coordinated in my own home without other gym goers worrying I’m about to kick them.
My gym have a deal with the app so we’ve currently got a 60 day free trial which is amazing, but I think they’re doing either a 2 week or 30 day free trial regardless so do check that out. I think the music in the classes are good, and I can stream to the telly which is great. There’s about 800 workouts so loads to choose from. My go to app for workouts at the moment for sure!!
Another app is FIIT, I didn’t subscribe after my free trial but this is a good app, and would subscribe at some point if I get bored of Les Mills. There are loads of workouts from HIIT to strength to yoga, etc and a variety of instructors too.
I did a few Chessie King workouts which I enjoyed and she was full of life and funny, so found them really enjoyable.
This is a great app for lower intensity workouts, this is a free app ( I think) or has a lot of access even on the free plan, and there’s lots of workouts to choose from.
They have a big low impact section, and do lots of workouts for different parts of the body and seem to specialise in doing short workouts which is great if you haven’t got a lot of time or just want a quick workout. I did a workout called Aussie Abs and the guy was very funny so would recommend that.
I’ve also followed a couple of Whitney’s workouts on Insta, she wears the cutest gym clothes and her workouts are great for at home and focus on the whole body. I found them easy to follow and enjoyed them so would recommend.
I also did this abs workout on YouTube and my abs hurt for about 2 days afterwards and my abs looked insane too!! I need to do it more regularly but a really good abs blast!
At the moment though, I am just mainly using Les Mills, I find it so easy to use and I quite like having the routine of doing a class, I just find it helps me to stay motivated and committed to working out.
I’ve also been for a few runs, and use the Strava app to track my run, I’ve heard a lot of people rave about couch to 5K and to be honest, it’s been lovely going for a run on a nice evening, listening to a 00s themed playlist so would also recommend doing that for your daily exercise if you *needed* to get out.
I’d love to know if you have any workout recommendations?
