No gym required: Apps & ideas to stay fit at home
When it comes to staying fit, keeping a consistent schedule (and sticking to it) is difficult at the best of times.
Spending an extended period indoors can disrupt even the most active of lifestyles — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Without realising, breaking a light sweat during physical activity can help boost morale, ease depression, relieve stress and anxiety through ways that can cater to your ability.
Although it can take a minute to get the ball rolling, light-to-moderate exercise daily is more achievable than you may have thought. Limited space or no gym equipment? We hear you.
Getting started
Even the biggest of journeys start with a single step. And that step is the hardest. There’s no better time than now to kickbox your journey to improved health and overall wellbeing 👊
For beginners, consider free apps like MyFitnessPal or Strava. The former is a humble starting point, as it equips users with a mobile cookbook, to ease that transition into a more active routine. MyFitnessPal also has nutrition reports and healthy food suggestions — making it a one-stop-shop.
Strava may seem a bit more technical, breaking down any potential workout into distance and speed (if running), as well as calories burnt. In addition, the app also has a collaborative element; if you have a gym buddy, you can share your results and challenge them to beat it.
Get physical by watching TV
Remember when they used to chuck aerobics on the telly of a morning? If you get a little tiresome looking at a tiny screen while doing exercise, it’s a good idea to sample a few different ways, like YouTube videos on a smart TV or a computer. It’s free, it’s easy, and you can do it at your own pace.
You can easily find yourself deep into the rabbit hole by watching Cassey Ho and her YouTube channel, Blogilates. Cassey is a fun and relatable fitness instructor. There’s a realness to her which encourages you to be the best you can, and enhance yourself, rather than dedicate your energy to being someone else.
Or if you into something a bit more high-intensity check out Fitness Blender. They’re a husband and wife duo that create free intense workout videos focusing on pretty much everything; there are over 500 videos to choose from. Try the Intense at Home HIIT Routine if you’re still waiting on your gym equipment to arrive or if you want a buddy to workout with.
Yoga for all
You may have noticed that we’re big fans of Yoga with Adriene, whether it’s Find What Feels Good app, or the YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene. Adriene has created a new experience of yoga, encouraging an inclusive and equal space for all. Not everyone has the same abilities, so it’s important to include a space where we can all participate. The Gentle Chair Yoga Routine video is designed for people seated in a chair, or wheelchair to align the body and the mind.
Look outside the box for alternative ways to exercise
Believe me or not, exercising can be a lot of fun. Looking for some alternative ways of getting the blood pumping? It might be worth to start looking outside the boxes.
Dancing classes
Level up your bedroom, or shower dances with Sydney Dance Company’s virtual classes. This upbeat workout includes hip hop, ballet and jazz classes. Dancing with your pals in a club is out of the picture, but dancing with your family or roomies is the picture.
Evolve21 is an app that offers a wide range of inclusive exercises for people of all ages and all abilities. The programs are designed to represent individuals with different physical abilities.
You can begin by starting with a seven-minute exercise routine with yoga, meditation, or cardio.
Your very own superhero boot camp
Australian fitspo and superstar, Chris Hemsworth shares a premium exercise experience from home as the experts in the field run classes based on your goals, called Centr.
There are healthy meal plans and also, mindfulness sessions to ease the chaos into calm. The first month is on Chris, so try it out!
Did you ever think that squatting, or doing lunges could ever save your life from a dragon? Fit Adventure Nintendo is the perfect blend between a workout video, and being in a video game. You are your ‘chosen player’ which means you must venture on to defeat a bodybuilding dragon.
The more physical you get, the stronger you’ll be in the game (and in real life too).
These handy apps and tools are not endorsed or provided by Belong. The social crew have handpicked these as their favourites. All information published in this article is provided for general education and information only and isn’t intended to replace expert medical advice from a registered healthcare professional. Belong does not accept any liability for any error or omission, injury, expense, loss or damage incurred by any person as a result of using this website or relying on any information published on this website.
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