Top 3 Free Virtual Workouts
While your favorite boutique workout class or fitness center is temporarily shut down, that doesn’t mean you should stop sweating. In fact, working out might be one of the best ways you can pass time while you’re self-quarantined. Squeezing in physical activity and mindfulness breaks are the perfect outlets to curb cabin fever while we’re practicing social-distancing over the next several weeks.
In addition to my addiction to music and concerts, I’m a Director of Operations for multiple corporate fitness centers. Needless to say it has been a crazy time in my world prepping for facility closures and whipping together virtual solutions for clients. I am blown away by the number of fitness apps that have decided to gift users free classes during this challenging time. Our teams have researched all of the options, and I thought it would be helpful to share my favorites with you. These recommendations have been fully vetted by yours truly…the OG fitness snob.
Quick tip, though: If you're feeling sick at all, don't work out—get better first, and then try to work exercise back into your routine.
Peloton- it’s way more than just cycling
Peloton knows people are stuck at home, so it’s now offering new subscribers a 90-day trial, rather than 30 days, to its app. The app doesn’t require people to own a Peloton-branded treadmill or bike to participate. You can practice yoga, stretching, strength training, cardio, meditation, and other classes.
That’s right, I said full body workouts plus yoga & meditation! This really is your one-stop shop. The workouts meet you where you are (all fitness levels), the production is well-done, plus the instructors are not sorority girl annoying (nothing like the Saturday Night Live spoof that cracks me up every single time. Need a laugh? Watch it HERE).
Quick tip: avoid the need to enter your credit card information by downloading the app on your phone as opposed to registering online. There is an option to opt-out of providing credit card info that goes into effect after 90 days. Win-Win!
Get cho free 90 day Peloton app right HERE.
Boho beautiful Yoga Channel
I’m obsessed with the sea and yoga, aaaand this YouTube channel definitely has my attention. The voiceover cueing is really good, the yogi form is spot-on, and the insanely gorgeous locations make me a little less depressed that my Saint John Virgin Island vacation was just officially canceled.
I also appreciate the fact the workouts are all right around 20 minutes long. I have found myself pulling up the videos on my phone and squeezing in a workout between calls right in my office. I mean, desperate times.
Check out the YouTube channel right HERE.
Headspace App
Meditation has been shown to help people stress less, focus more and even sleep better. Headspace is meditation made simple. I love this app, it’s like a wise ole friend taking you by the hand and guiding you through the life-changing skills of meditation and mindfulness in just a few minutes a day.
Headspace is offering 30 days free access to their app (as opposed to the usual 7 day trail). It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling. It’s their small way of helping you find some space and kindness for yourself and those around you during this challenging time.
Listen, you definitely need to try this out! I don’t know about you, but if I have to tell the fam to turn the TV down ONE MORE TIME while I’m on a conference call I may lose my mind up in here…Headspace helps. Free access right HERE.
bonus—nutrition resource
WFH makes is reaaaaallly easy to graze all day on unhealthy things we probably don’t normally eat. One of my favorite resources for healthy recipes is Tone It Up. Karena and Katrina have built quite the online empire (they also have announced free 30 day access to their popular workout app if you want to check that out), and they have an amazing “menu” of free health recipes…access it right HERE.
Let me know if you take advantage of any of these free resources, I would love to hear about your favorite virtual options. I’ll be sharing more tips like this over the coming weeks. Stay safe!
~Stacy