Isa Welly
The workout: Pilates
Why we love it: Isa has a contagiously positive energy and hers is one of the best online workouts we’ve tried recently. Her 30-minute Pilates class promises to boost your mood while easing anxiety and working your whole body. It’s particularly good for strengthening your core.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: A yoga mat
Centr
The workout: HIIT, boxing, yoga and strength training
Why we love it: Actor Chris Hemsworth has brought together a team of 20 of the world’s best (and most personable) PTs to guide you through workouts, whatever your ability. It’s one of the best online workouts when it comes to choice of instructors. Centr has a holistic approach, with mindful meditations and healthy meal plans to follow too.
How much: Sign up for a free seven-day trial, then it’s £15.49 a month
Equipment needed: For many workouts you won’t need anything, but for some you’ll need dumbbells or a skipping rope
Sweaty Betty with Janine George
The workout: Arm-focused strength training
Why we love it: Trust Sweaty Betty to come up with one of the best online workouts from a retail brand.Losing muscle mass in midlife can bring on the bingo wings (technical term), but this intense arm workout will help to counteract them. Janine is straightforward and super motivating, so you might even look forward to adding this into your exercise routine.
How much: Free
Equipment: An exercise mat
Fiit
The workout: Strength training, cardio and yoga
Why we love it: Fiit offers premium boutique-style online workouts with PTs including Luke Worthington, Richie Bostock and Cat Meffan. Need more motivation? You can use the group class feature to train with friends. With premium membership you’ll also receive a Fiit device that provides live stats, progress tracking and personalised training plans.
How much: Free or £10 a month for Fiit Premium
Equipment needed: It’s not essential but for strength training you might want to make your workouts harder with dumbbells
Lululemon with Ally Maz
The workout: Yoga
Why we love it: Ally explains each posture clearly, so even beginners can follow her 20-minute Vinyasa flow and finish feeling at peace and empowered. If you want more, you can also find 45-minute and 75-minute classes on the Lululemon YouTube channel.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: A yoga mat
Goop with Tracy Anderson
The workout: Strength training
Why we love it: Ever wondered how Gwyneth Paltrow works out? Here, her longtime trainer takes you through a ten-minute routine which will wake up all of the muscles in your body. It’s easy to follow but you’ll definitely feel the burn.
How much: Free
Equipment: An exercise mat
Body By Simone
The workout: Dance cardio
Why we love it: If cardio is your thing, try Simone De La Rue’s 45-minute dance workout. The Hollywood trainer has worked with everyone from Sandra Bullock to Reese Witherspoon and claims this class is the most fun you can have while burning calories. We’re inclined to agree.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: Nothing
The Balanced Life
The workout: Pilates
Why we love it: With simple moves and guided breathwork, Robin Long’s gentle morning routine is a great introduction to Pilates if you haven’t tried it before. Practice daily to see an improvement in your strength and flexibility over time. Just don’t be too jealous of the beautiful Santa Barbara beach backdrop.
How much: Free
Equipment: A yoga mat
Freeletics
The workout: Strength training
Why we love it: Developed by a former athlete and a sports scientist, Freeletics specialises in 10-30 minute equipment-free workouts that are perfect if you want something low maintenance, or that you can do on the go. All of the workouts are high intensity, so you get maximum results in minimal time.
How much: Free or from £2.16 per week for premium membership
Equipment needed: None
Poosh with Shannon Nadj
The workout: Strength training
Why we love it: Kourtney Kardashian recently launched her lifestyle platform, Poosh. The star works hard to maintain her fitness and during lockdown she collaborated with Shannon Nadj, founder of Hot Pilates, to bring us a 15-minute fat burning class that’s easy to follow but will really get a sweat on.
How much: Free
Equipment: An exercise mat
Barrecore
The workout: Barre
Why we love it: If a strong and lean physique is your goal, Barrecore’s low intensity dance-based movements will give you just that. The classes are open to all abilities and you’re encouraged to push yourself to your own limits. Suffer from back pain? This is a great way to strengthen and correct it.
How much: The first class is free, then it’s £6 per class or £15 a week for unlimited classes
Equipment: Nothing is essential but you may want to use an exercise mat, some light weights and a chair or bench
Nike Training Club
The workout: HIIT, strength, yoga
Why we love it: You’ve probably already know that it’s impossible to spot-reduce fat. This handy app will help you to target specific areas of the body with different strength, endurance and mobility exercise – great if you’re looking to trim your waistline.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: Nothing
Louisa Drake Method
The workout: Body conditioning
Why we love it: Louisa has trained the likes of Victoria Beckham and has a real passion for women’s health and wellbeing. This 30-minute class will tone your whole body but is low impact so it’s easy on your joints.
How much: For £12 you can access the video as many times as you want for 30 days
Equipment: An exercise mat, some light weights (1.5-2kg) and a stability ball or a towel rolled up
Aaptive
The workout: Strength training, running and yoga
Why we love it: Tired of looking at screens? With this app you can choose from thousands of audio-based workouts to maximise your productivity, whether you’re doing yoga at home or running outside. Over 30 new classes are added each week so you’ll never get bored.
How much: Sign up for a free seven-day trial, then it’s £7.99 a month
Equipment needed: For some workouts you will need weights or a yoga mat
Jillian Michaels
The workout: Core strength training
Why we love it: Jillian Michaels is our #goal and role model for great abs in midlife. Strict and super encouraging, her popular YouTube workout is an intense seven minutes, but easy to fit into your busy schedule.
How much: Free
Equipment: An exercise mat
Glo
The workout: Yoga
Why we love it: There are enough options to last you a lifetime with over 4,000 classes in a range of 16 styles, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Iyengar and Yin. As well as encouraging teachers, you’ll also be joining a community of like-minded yogis to keep you motivated and share wellness tips with.
How much: Sign up for a free 15 day trial, then it’s £21.49 a month or £189.99 for an annual membership
Equipment needed: A yoga mat
Body Project
The workout: Cardio
Why we love it: This workout is high energy and low intensity, so it’s easy on your knees and hard on your waistline. This workout isn’t for beginners, but trainers Daniel and Alexander are so much fun that the time flies by.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: None
Jessica Ennis-Hill
The workout: HIIT
Why we love it: She may be an Olympic gold medallist, but Jess’s HIIT class is suitable for everyone including fitness beginners. She explains every exercise clearly before jumping in. Prepare to work all of your muscle groups and finish with a huge endorphin rush.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: An exercise mat and a chair or bench
Caroline Jordan
The workout: Foam rolling
Why we love it: As we get older our muscles take longer to heal. Enter, the foam roller. It’s been a popular product during lockdown and here Caroline Jordan demonstrates its many benefits in her easy to follow routine that can be used pre or post workout.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: A foam roller
Yoga with Adriene
The workout: Yoga
Why we love it: There’s a huge range of video classes available, from yoga for weight loss to deep stretching and more meditative options to improve mental health. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, Adriene’s positivity will keep you motivated all the way through.
How much: Free
Equipment needed: A yoga mat
Own Your Goals With Davina
The workout: HIIT, boxing, dance and yoga
Why we love it: You’ll begin with a quick questionnaire to personalise your training plan and put in place the goals you want to reach. Davina really knows her stuff and offers a huge variety of workouts, as well as access to nutritionist-approved recipes, wellbeing articles and a whole community of like-minded people.
How much: Sign up for a free 14-day trial, then it’s £9.99 for one month, £39.99 for six months or £59.99 for 12 months
Equipment needed: For some workouts you’ll need an exercise mat, dumbbells, a chair or a soft ball
Peloton
The workout: Spinning
Why we love it: Nothing beats that post-spin high and with Peloton you can get a studio-worthy workout without leaving the house. If you’re looking to really invest in your fitness (and have the room at home), you can purchase your own bike and gain access to daily live classes with thousands more on-demand, which can be filtered by length, music, intensity level and instructor.
How much: Bikes start from £1,990 and membership starts from £39 per month
Equipment needed: A Peloton bike. You can also choose from a range of accessories
