Find Your Fit in Fitness

By: Savannah Holderer

Amidst the fall and winter seasons, along with COVID-19 restrictions, working out can feel impossible. The lack of motivation associated with unpredictable weather conditions and daylight savings can make exercising outside increasingly difficult and undesirable as temperatures drop and the days seem shorter. The new limitations, set until January, can restrain and hinder the fitness experience.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus and the beginning of quarantine, the fitness industry has taken a drastic turn from being an in-person, engaging activity to a more solo, digital experience. Although online programs have existed for quite some time now, they were not in high demand due to individuals preferring the gym or group exercise classes. While such platforms and companies, like Alo Moves and Melissa Wood Health, have switched to a more digital-based program, the cost can be steep.   

Luckily, YouTube serves as an incredible platform not just for entertainment, but, also, for a functional purpose via instructional videos that are completely free of charge. YouTube offers various creators’ workout videos with a wide variety of styles, for any level of fitness. 

Being that YouTube is a fairly open platform, in that people are free to upload any content deemed appropriate, it should be noted that the individuals or brands may be certified in fitness training, but all risks should be assumed and are accountable by the individual. Since exercising takes place in one’s own home or space and is only guided by an instructor via YouTube, it is up to the individual to assess their fitness level, to avoid any injuries.  

When it comes to perusing YouTube for a workout video, it’s best to look for what you know you love! However, it’s never a bad idea to try out all styles of training, if you are unsure of what you prefer and are new to working out from home. 

Yoga and Pilates

Yoga and pilates are similar in their movement styles, flow, and intensity in that they both emphasize lengthening and strengthening of the muscles and posture using one’s own body weight. The main difference between the two is that yoga involves more of a spiritual side that centers the mind to simultaneously strengthen one’s mentality. 

Photo Credit: yogawithadriene.com

Although it can be a slower-paced workout, the benefits include core strength, lean, toned muscle, and flexibility. The faster-paced the flow of the workout is, the more heat the body will create and the heart rate will increase, resulting in more calories burned. However, that is not a requirement of a “good” workout by any means, especially for yoga and pilates. Those styles of exercise are all about listening and connecting to your body, while still pushing yourself. 

An amazing channel for all things yoga would be Yoga with Adriene. Her channel includes yoga flows suitable for a variety of situations or circumstances, like cramps, chronic pain, stress, self-love, etc. Her channel also incorporates a “Yoga PE” playlist for beginners looking to learn the fundamentals.

For pilates, Move with Nicole is a great place to find all lengths of videos. All are always as effective, with no equipment required, for a strong and lean body. Her videos emphasize different muscle groups of the body, for all different levels, so everyone can find their fit.

High Intensity Interval Training

Another popular form of exercise is HIIT, or higher intensity styled workouts, which include kickboxing and circuit training. This type of training can be quick, yet extremely effective in that many calories are burned in a short period of time. This is because the heart rate is constantly high, due to short periods of rest time in between exercise moves. 

Many of these workouts incorporate plyometrics, which are jumping exercises, requiring the muscles to exert maximum force and effort to increase their power continuously. Some examples of plyometric exercises include burpees, jump squats, alternating jump lunges, tuck jumps, etc. These exercises demand a good deal of muscle strength, as well as cardiovascular strength.

Cardio is incorporated into circuit training because the timing can range from 20 seconds on to a full minute on, with the rest period changing accordingly. The rest period in between is not intended to fully bring the heart rate back down, as this would be counterproductive, but keep the heart rate up and just catch your breath. 

Photo of Whitney Simmons doing a HIIT workout, Photo credit: gymshark.com

Of course, modifications are always possible to switch interchangeably with the suggested exercise move, if muscle strength or cardiovascular endurance are a work in progress.

Great channels for HIIT workouts include Whitney Simmons, Natacha Oceane, and Gabby Scheyen. These three women are absolute weapons and fitness goals. Within the industry, they have made names for themselves by working with athleisure brands, health food brands, and more.  

The positive side of HIIT is that you can go as hard as you want to. It is up to the individual how fast they want to do the moves in the given time period. Therefore, even if you don’t think you are up to par with these ladies, you are free to go at your own pace and work your way up. 

Full Body Workouts

For channels that showcase all styles of exercise on one platform, I want to firstly introduce POPSUGAR Fitness. POPSUGAR Fitness is a dual online publication, as well as a YouTube channel surrounding the topics of workouts, healthy living, nutrition, and wellness.

The YouTube channel specifically features a fitness host or a celebrity trainer with a few other individuals alongside them to walk you through the moves and modifications of the workout. This channel includes full-body workouts with weights, kickboxing, cardio dance, HIIT, yoga, pilates, and more!

Lifestyle Channel

Last but not least is an all-time personal favorite as this woman truly encompasses a healthy, fit, balanced lifestyle. Her channel features pilates, boxing, and circuit workouts all utilizing bodyweight, with the mantra of “listen to your body”. 

Sarah’s Day has been on YouTube for seven years and has always shown how health and fitness play in her everyday life. Sarah preaches something that the fitness industry and community tend to forget about - that working out should be fun and enjoyable. Exercising should not be another dreaded task on your to-do list, but an escape from it all. 

Sarah has also created two e-books that are her own written and crafted workout guides. Although those are not free, they are an excellent way to begin a fitness journey from the comfort of your own home

Photo Credit: Sarahsday.com

Regardless of where you start or when you start, all that matters is that you end up on the other side an accomplished, stronger individual. This guide is your toolset to building a better you from the comfort of your own home. .