As the holidays approach and the year is coming to an end, keeping consistent with our workout routines gets harder. Thankfully, many great YouTube fitness creators have brought a plethora of challenging and fun videos to help keep their audiences active even at home. Without further ado, here are some of my personal favorites workouts released on this month.
Izzy has released many great videos this month but this video requiring only a resistance band is my absolute favorite. By using different band placements to target pretty much every muscle group, this routine is a burner for the entire body. With fully guided instructions and creative variations, you won't be bored for even a second.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Equipment required: Exercise mat and resistance band.
Marie Steffen is currently one of my favorite creators on the platform, her frequent uploads of challenging low impact routines are a staple in my current routine. In this occasion, Marie has crafted the Longevity Plan for Women, combining mobility exercises with strength training and Pilates with the goal of maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and improving daily mobility. Progressively increasing the difficulty with harder exercises and weights, this workout plan is a great challenge with many benefits.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Equipment required: Light and medium weights, exercise mat.
As a part of her new Pumped program, Sydney has created cardio workouts with a core component for her weekly cardio sessions. In this particular workout alternating fast paced cardio exercises with traditional core moves, isometric holds are used as a finished to every set to maximize muscle fatigue. Light to medium dumbbells are also used to add additional resistance to the core exercises, making this workout a functional approach to core training.
Level: All levels.
Equipment required: Light and medium weights, exercise mat.
Fun and short workouts are the best way to get out of a fitness rut. This easy dance choreography uses some of the greatest songs from the Mamma Mia musical as background music. And if you struggle with following choreography, every step is previewed on screen.
Level: Beginner friendly.
No equipment.
Light jumping, can be easily modified.
Hip-Hop Abs Dance Workout by Kaleila Jordan from PS Fit
As mentioned in my previous article about standing ab workouts, dancing is an excellent way to connect with your core muscles. In this routine, hip hop steps are combined with standing ab exercises to target the core while moving the hips. Obliques and lower abs will certainly stay active through this fun routine.
When I started my home workout journey, I was overwhelmed by all the options available. Choosing a workout sometimes took longer than the workout itself, how could I even know if I could complete this video? Battling with mental health issues, I wanted something that could help me feel both physically and mentally better. While I started to enjoy movement by itself, I struggled with consistency. All videos felt the same, just copying the movements as best as I could and trying harder every time. Lacking feedback is a downside of home workouts, and even a little unilateral encouragement or written advice can go far. Even so, many guided workouts on YouTube can feel too overtly positive, to the point of coming off as inauthentic. When I discovered EMKFit, her honesty and strive not for perfection, but for movement were refreshing in an ocean of overpolished videos.
Thumbnail from one of EMKFit's Dua Lipa themed videos
Emily Thorne, a theater school graduate and certified fitness trainer from Canada, has been teaching fitness classes both in studio and online for more than five years. Her YouTube journey began during the Covid pandemic, using the platform and Twitch to broadcast at home no equipment classes for everyone under lockdown. With over 600k subscribers and a loyal following (myself included), her channel is updated every Monday with a new video.
First HIIT dance video posted on the channel
During her time as a teacher in a dance studio, Emily created her own HIIT (high intensity interval training) style workouts, as seen in the video above. In the HIIT format, only two moves are choreographed and alternated in short intervals for the entire duration of each song. Unlike traditional dance steps, the HIIT moves are often similar to regular exercises, though with a dancey flair. What makes the HIIT format so successful is that you only need to memorize the specific moves taught beforehand, which is great if you struggle with coordination and following regular choreography. By having short, intense bursts of energy with built in rest, these dance workouts also feel far more doable than following a choreography non stop for an entire class.
Music for all ages and tastes are featured in the videos
Emily's raw and unfiltered teaching style is a rarity from fitness YouTubers. Her honesty and sense of humor is very relatable to every newbie to fitness, making working out alone in a room feel far more lively than with a regular peppy instructor. Her emphasis on having fun and prioritizing mental and physical health over body aesthetics is very refreshing, with "Wrong is Strong" being her signature phrase. Low impact modifications are also present in almost all her videos, making the workouts safe and approachable for beginners. Having simple, straightforward moves without the need to learn many steps or keeping up with the rhythm also makes her videos more accessible to those new to dancing or even fitness.
Dance along themed workouts from movie soundtracks and musicals
Emily's videos often feature music from popular artists, movie soundtracks and musicals. Using current songs and all time classics, there is an option for everyone in her catalogue. Themed videos with curated playlist are also available, ranging from fun party themed HIITs to throwback playlists, great if you struggle with decision fatigue with music. Dirty HIITs are also a big favorite, featuring songs with explicit lyrics and sexier moves than usual. If you want a party in your living room while working out, HIITs are the way to go.
The Pilates inspired videos are great if you want the Pilates experience while standing
Since last year, Emily has been releasing Pilates inspired videos. These all standing workouts include moves from contemporary Pilates and barre, such as lunges, squats and plies, with an emphasis on engaging the core for stability. With a follow along format, these workouts may not be the same as a regular mat Pilates class, but the fun music and standing core work makes it worth your time.
Get a great burn with minimal equipment while having fun with the light weights videos
Besides HIIT dance and Pilates, workouts with light weights and kickboxing workouts are available on the channel. Traditional strength training videos can also be found on the strength playlist, with a more functional approach to lifting. No matter the workout style, Emily's great sense of humor and effective instructions are always present to get you through the workout.
The video that got me into EMKFit
My fitness routine has constantly changed for the last three years, yet I've always stuck with EMKFit for my weekly fun dance session. I've thoroughly enjoy pretty much every single video of her catalogue, and on Mondays I try to tune in to her weekly update. Even if you're not a beginner anymore, her workouts can be just as intense as regular dance workouts if you keep up with Emily's pace.
Why I recommend EMKFit for beginners:
No need to learn full choreography, moves are easy to learn.
All standing workout routines with low impact modifications.
Built in rest between exercises and songs.
Huge video catalogue with something for everyone.
No emphasis on weight loss and body appearance, just fun and movement.
No equipment required for most workouts.
Medium length workouts (15 minutes to 25 minutes), can be combined for a longer workout. Single song workouts are also available.
Warm up is provided in almost every workout. Additional cool down videos are available.
Relatable instructor with fun teaching methodology.
Creative moves in the dance and Pilates workouts.
If you want to try for yourself, here is a link to her YouTube channel. A playlist to her entire HIIT dance catalogue can be found here, Pilates workouts here and strength workouts are listed here. And for weekly workout livestreams and exclusive videos, her paid Patreon membership is also available for those wanting more.
October was a hard month for me to keep consistent, I was busy and struggling with fatigue. Instead of following a fitness program, I decided to keep my routine mostly low impact to focus on having fun and moving my body. Even though I didn't have the energy to workout, finding easy workouts to improve my mood kept me active. Without further ado, here are some of my picks and new finds from this month.
Step Uhm began posting dance workouts on the platform just six months ago, but you wouldn't guess that from her engaging titles and song choices. With simple yet functional editing and follow along format, her choreography makes Kpop dancing easy for newbies while staying fun. Unlike most Kpop focused channels, this channel has longer videos and dance medleys from popular groups, definitely a must for fans of the genre.
Afrifitness is back on YouTube after a long hiatus, bringing new workouts with her signature teaching style. Her recent afrobeats infused walking workouts are a great middle ground between walking workouts and dance, mixing marching in place with African dance inspired moves. Getting your steps in can be monotonous, so these workouts are a fun way to keep active while having fun.
This fully guided sports themed workout is proof that everyone can be an athlete. With fun cardio movements inspired by all types of sport, proving that functional fitness can be entertaining too. If you've never played any sports: don't worry, exercises are accesible and easily modifiable for every need. Sydney's motivational talks are also present on this video, helping to encourage you through the entire routine.
Focusing on body recomposition, this six week program has a comprehensive approach to fitness, with strength workouts paired with Pilates inspired sessions and low impact cardio. If you want to try strength training with some variety, Hourglass is a perfect way to start your journey. I especially love Olivia's standing workouts for their accessibility if you struggle with spinal issues. The Hourglass program is still ongoing and can be found here.
Low impact cardio and strength training routines.
Clear editing with next exercise previewed on screen.
Sophie from Gains by Brains has been releasing her first free program on her YouTube channel. Consisting of one functional day, one lower body session, two ab sessions and one cardio session per week, this program is focused on helping reaching aesthetic and muscle building goals by body recomposition. Many sessions require no equipment, so it's a great way to stay consistent without needing weights. The ARC I program is still ongoing and can be found here.
Comprehensive approach to fitness with increasing difficulty.
Clear editing with next exercise previewed on screen.
Many no equipment workouts available, ideal for traveling.
Focus on strengthening the core with deep core exercises.
Upper Body and Core Workout with Weights by Marie Steffen
Marie's low impact workouts have quickly become one of my favorites. Only requiring a pair of light dumbbells and a mat, this workout can feel just as effective as a regular lifting day. Seamlessly integrating strength training with Pilates and yoga inspired moves, the core is working overtime in this seemingly simple routine.
Low impact, high intensity moves to test coordination and stability.
Clear editing with written cues and next exercise previewed on screen.
Minimal equipment.
Creative compound moves to engage the target areas.
If you want to challenge your core and stability in a non traditional way, this workout uses a yoga block and a Pilates ball to test your balance and force your core to activate. By creating an unstable foundation, dormant deep core muscles are activated to compensate, something that regular abs exercises won't achieve. The emphasis on mind body connection is important too, using these simple props to awaken the connection to your muscles.
Low impact workout.
Fully guided with vocal cues.
Minimal props easily replaced at home (block can be replaced by a thick book and the ball can be a small pillow or plushie)
Easily engage deep core without crunches.
Creative use of props.
Morning Mobility: Start your day right by Julia Reppel
These days I love to train mobility at the end of my workouts and Julia's sessions are some of favorites. This recent 20 minute routine is excellent to start the day and release all the stiffness from sleeping. Follow along soft yet precise movements to awaken the muscles and open up the hips and back, feel dynamic and renewed by the end of the video.
Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. I love costumes, horror movies and overall fun vibe of the season. Daily workouts are no exception, so I really look forward for all the themed workouts released during this month. Implementing spooky music, costumes and even monster inspired moves; these videos are a great way to keep consistent during October while having lots of fun. Without further ado, here are some of my favorite Halloween workouts on the platform.
Hot Girl Halloween: The Ultimate Halloween Dance Workout by And8Fitness
This fun workout to the beat of Halloween classics like Thriller and Monster Mash is a treat for all dance lovers. The intense choreography inspired by the iconic music videos will make you sweat while having fun. Other unconventional but spot on music choices like Everybody by the Backstreet Boys are also a nice addition. to the video.
This thrilling dance workout is a wonderful option for beginners and the entire family. Featuring classic Halloween hits like Ghostbusters and contemporary hits like Disturbia by Rihanna, this playlist is a nice mix for all age groups. The simple choreography is also easy to follow, making this video a good pick even if you're not much of a dancer.
With theatrical moves inspired by the music, this workout will definitely get you in a spooky mood while getting your steps in. Workout to modern hits by Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eillish, a refreshing change from most Halloween playlists. But do not fret, a Thriller remix by Steve Aoki is also included at the end. The steps might not be too easy to follow, but it is a fun challenge for Halloween.
If you prefer to punch zombies instead of dancing with them, this workout is for you. With easy to follow boxing to the beat of classic 2000s bands, punching and kicking has never been cooler. And the best part? Every move is low impact but do not underestimate the intensity.
All levels.
No equipment required.
Low impact, high intensity moves.
Onscreen preview of next move.
No warm up and cool down included.
Military Halloween Workout-Intense Cardio by Tara's Body
This intense workout will make you feel like you can fight any monster or ghost around. Including intense bodyweight movements like bear crawls, jumping jacks and more; prepare to challenge your endurance with every move. Some kickboxing moves are present in the workout too, so feel free to channel your favorite warrior.
Just simple makeup, fitting music and on theme exercise names are enough to make this routine a great choice for spooky cardio lovers. Classic bodyweight exercises like squats and planks are very present, with added variety to spice things up. An excellent choice for a quick burner before trick or treating.
Intermediate to advanced.
Exercise mat required.
High impact, has modifications for harder exercises.
Pilates might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Halloween, but EMKFit somehow makes it work. This all standing routine mixes Pilates with bodyweight moves, with a follow along choreography to spooky songs. You might feel as wobbly as a zombie with all the balancing work, but it's a fun way to exercise during this season.
Beginner friendly.
No equipment required, optional ankle and wrists weights.
This beginner friendly long workout is a great way stay consistent during the holiday while getting your steps in. Paul uses light weights for a section of the workout to add resistance to the upper body, the energetic music and encouraging instructions will keep you engaged during the workout.
A zombie themed aerobic step workout is one of the funniest I've ever encountered. Shot with ghostly makeup at night with zombies in the background, this is by far the best themed video on this list. The actual workout is also great, with powerful moves mimicking zombies and mummies walking.
If you love roleplaying and monster movies, this workout is your best choice for Halloween day. With bodyweight moves inspired by classic monsters and more, this full body routine targets the entire body with effective moves with a spooky flair. Every move is low impact and doable for beginners, so don't be scared to try it.
This workout isn't too Halloween themed but you definitely should be afraid. With little rest and fast paced workout intervals, your heart rate will spike more than with any horror movie. Adding dumbbells adds an extra challenge, testing your endurance to the max with burpee variants and renegade rows.
September is a great month to get back in track with your fitness routine or start new habits. As many people return from summer break, many instructors have taken the opportunity to release new content for everyone returning to their regular routines. Here are some of my personal favorites uploaded this month, with awaited returns and exciting new routines being the main highlight.
Caroline Girvan is back with a demo of her app program
Caroline Girvan, one of the most respected strength training instructors on the platform is back on YouTube to celebrate reaching four million subscribers. Even in this celebratory video, her routines are as a tough as ever with this heavy leg day sequence. With longer rest times than previous routines, this workout in particular is centered on pushing the lower body to the max with progressive overload and increased range of motion. With her signature polished aesthetic and on screen tips, this video is definitely her highest quality upload to date.
The full Iron Pro program is exclusively available on her CGX app; if you prefer a free option the original Iron Series is an excellent choice.
Equipment needed: At least two sets of heavier weights or a barbell. Optional bench for unilateral Romanian deadlifts and wedge/yoga block for elevating the heels.
Workout duration: 40 minutes, no warm up included. Sets of 45 seconds followed by one minute rest.
The BOLD program is a great choice for those looking to get back on track
Sydney Cummings, one of my personal favorite trainers on YouTube, is back from maternity leave with the BOLD program. Consisting of twenty workouts, this comprehensive program is a thorough approach to fitness. With strength training and cardio focused sessions full with varied exercises, the workouts fly by quickly along with Sydney's signature teaching style. The cardio sessions with light weights were definitely my favorite, helping me with endurance during 5K race prep. While this program might not be ideal for muscle hypertrophy, it is a great way to get back on track with a more functional focus on fitness.
You can find the complete BOLD program playlist in this link.
Equipment needed: Light and heavier weights, fitness mat and resistance bands. Optional equipment: aerobic step, bench for step ups, jump rope.
Workout duration: From thirty to forty minutes. Warm up and cool down are included in the workouts. Five workouts and two rest days per week, for a total of thirty days.
Have fun and sweat tons with this great Soca step routine
Tara is one of the top dance instructors on the platform, now back with a choreographed aerobic step routine to Soca music. This high energy workout will surely get your heart pumping, combining traditional step moves with fun Caribbean dance moves for explosive fun. Regardless of the French-only instructions, the routine is actually surprisingly simple to follow along even if you don't speak the language. Keep in mind that this workout is fairly high impact, so be prepared to modify to your needs.
This workout is part of a full fitness program designed by Tara and her friend Solene, feel free to check out their website for more information.
Equipment needed: Aerobic step. Optional hand towel or small fabric for the dance.
Workout duration: 26 minutes. No warm up or cool down are provided.
Level Up 2.0 is a fourteen day challenge with (almost) zero equipment needed aside from a mat. HIIT and bodyweight moves are the core of this challenge, with many pulses and explosive intervals to elevate the heart rate. Besides the fast paced HIIT sessions, there are slower sessions inspired by Pilates with a focus on engaging the muscles. Two stretch days are also included in the challenge, making it a short yet complete program to test your endurance.
Dance along Ozzy's greatest hits with this creative tribute
To pay tribute to the Prince of Darkness, Molly has created one of the most unique dance workouts I've done on YouTube. Inspired by Ozzy's entire discography, the dance moves are masterfully choreographed to match the lyrics and rhythm of his greatest hits. Aside from the creative steps and instructions, Molly also introduces facts about Ozzy's life and career. This workout is a beautiful and well crafted routine to celebrate his legacy.
No equipment needed.
Workout duration: 46 minutes. Warm up and a very emotional cooldown are included in the workout.
Low impact does not mean low energy with this powerful workout
This low impact but high energy kickboxing inspired workout is a great way to burn calories while listening to awesome tunes. To the beat of fierce music by female singer and rappers, get ready to kick, punch and dodge all the way through. Emphasizing on movement instead of perfection, the message of self love and empowerment is loud in this workout.
No equipment needed. Low impact.
Workout duration: 25 minutes. No cool down provided.
Get the best of both worlds with this fusion workout
This short but sweet workout should not be underestimated, it's definitely a burner. Combining the controlled moves of Pilates with HIIT inspired exercises, you will be challenged by interval of mindful movement followed by fast cardio intervals. By adding a resistance band, a Pilates ball and light weights, your balance and stability will be challenged in every move.
Equipment needed: Exercise mat, light weights, resistance band and a Pilates ball.
Workout duration: Twenty minutes. Warm up and cool down are included.
Smile with this fun dance workout to Congo inspired beats
This dynamic workout inspired by traditional Congolese music and dance moves is a joy to follow along. With clear on screen previews and timers, the workout can be easy to follow even for beginners to African dance. The Afroletics original music is also synced to perfection, matching beats with every step. The instructors' positive energy irradiates through the screen, transmitting the viewer their wonderful vibes.
No equipment needed.
Workout duration: 15 minutes. No warm up or cool down are provided.
YouTube dance workouts are some of the best ways to work out at home and have fun. Though all kinds of dance can be enjoyable regardless of the music, sometimes the royalty free beats and top hits by pop princesses can get boring. If you want to give new dance styles and other genres of music a try, check out this curated selection with great instructors from all around the globe.
Dancing is one of the most popular workouts for beginners, following the choreography while keeping on beat is a great way to move your body, release endorphins and have fun. But, what if you struggle to follow along? Is turning the wrong way that bad?
The biggest struggle for most beginners at home is not doing simply doing workouts but staying consistent. Things can get boring even if you're following a great workout program, occasionally switching things up certainly helps with fitness ruts. With home workouts you're missing on the social aspect of fitness for the most part, so you need to get a little creative to entice yourself to movement.
Gamifying your current routine is a great way to both keep accountable and stay motivated. Recording your fitness achievements and challenging yourself with realistic goals are some of simpler ways to keep your mind engaged. An example of this would be setting a step goal per day or doing an specific exercise for a step amount of reps/time per day; recording your plank hold time for a week is a prime option. My own personal gamifying challenge is to take the stairs every time, choosing to stand or walk during your daily routine can be also a nice daily goal.
Beginning from zero can be scary. The internet may provide infinite resources about fitness, yet there's so much contradicting information out there that you may feel defeated even before beginning your journey. Promises of instant results, outrageous weight loss claims and gorgeous influencers to lure your eyes are some of the first things you may be feed by the algorithm. Just like in many aspects of life, anything too good to be true is probably false, fitness results are not achievable overnight.
No matter your target goal (weight loss, improving endurance, building muscle), consistency and discipline is vital to every goal. For workout newbies, I recommend starting small. Adding fifteen minutes of workouts you enjoy five days a week is far more doable than doing a high impact bootcamp once a week with poor form, not only is safer for your body but also cultivates a healthy habit that you can build on to. A good first step is setting a consistency goal like moving your body at least twenty minutes a day, then you can start exploring workouts that might suit your likes.
Like million others during the pandemic, I browsed YouTube for easy workouts. My fitness experience prior to the pandemic was just walking and dance classes when I was a child, encountering outrageous promises like 'Get Abs in Two Weeks' and 'Lose 8 Kilos in 30 Days' caught my unexperienced eye. One of the first workout channels I used was Eva Fitness, their aerobics inspired workouts seemed easy enough for an uncoordinated beginner.
Hello, I'm Andy, a former couch potato turned home fitness enthusiast. I've created this blog to share my personal experiences, recommendations and more about everything related to online fitness. I believe fitness should be more accessible, so I've created this blog in hopes of encouraging fellow beginners to start at home.
