You don't need a gym to get your fitness on — in most cases, all you need is WiFi and a bit of floor space. Here are some YouTube channels you might want to subscribe to for workouts, fitness tips, or just plain motivation to get your butt into gear. Get it!
Before you get started, some things worth noting:
• Some of these people and brands occasionally use language that you might find offensive — like by talking about "bikini bodies," for example. With that in mind, when compiling this list I looked for fitness brands that represented a range of ideals, to appeal to the widest range of people. All of these channels aren't going to be for all people, but hopefully something here might speak to you.
• Along the same lines! Some people in these videos might make some ~claims~ about the workouts changing your body in X, Y, or Z ways (toning, tightening, and the like). The truth is that losing fat, building muscle, or making changes to how your body looks isn't just a matter of working out — it's way more complicated than that. Learn more about it here, if you're interested.
• Before you get started on a new fitness regimen, you should check in with your doctor about what's safe for you. That's especially true if you're pregnant, injured, or have limited mobility for whatever reason.
• Do you know of a YouTube channel that has really great workouts and fitness content that I didn't include on this list? Share it in comments!
1. POPSUGAR Fitness (Class FitSugar)
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Example video (above): 10-Minute Superset Workout to Max Your Metabolism
What else you'll find: Tons of full-length workouts, sorted by time and type. Includes cardio, strength training, tabata, yoga, pilates, and more.
2. Turbulence Training
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Example video (above): The 4-Minute Lower Body Burpee Gauntlet Challenge Workout
What else you'll find: Certified trainer Craig Ballantyne leads you through tons of metabolic resistance training workouts, no equipment needed. Includes full workouts, exercise tips, and workout descriptions.
3. Live Sonima
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Example video (above): 55 Minute Yoga Class with Sharath Jois
What else you'll find: Yoga poses, guided meditation, gentle strength-training and mobility workouts, complete yoga classes
4. POP Pilates
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Example video (above): POP Pilates for Beginners - Total Body Workout
What else you'll find: Tons of pilates videos of different lengths and difficulty levels, guided by Cassey Ho of the website Blogilates
5. Jen Sinkler
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Example video (above): How to Make Burpees Work For You
What else you'll find: Jen Sinkler is a kettlebell instructor, an Olympic lifting coach through USA Weightlifting, and a certified coach through Onnit, Primal Move, Progressive Calisthenics, TACTIF, CrossFit, and DVRT. She's author and creator of Lift Weights Faster. Her YouTube channel includes challenges and tips for people who want to improve their strength training.
6. FitnessBlender
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Example video (above): 10-Minute Abs Workout - At-Home Abdominal and Obliques Exercises
What else you'll find: Over 450 free workout videos (generally between 10- and 40-minute workouts), and also short videos answering your fitness questions
7. LiveExercise
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Example video: Seated Exercise For Obesity and Limited Mobility
What Else You'll Find: At-home workouts, low-impact workouts for people with limited mobility, exercises for kids, and more
8. Scola Dondo
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Example video (above): The Kukere Workout
What else you'll find: Dance workouts, recipes, tips and more. From her intro video: "I'm not here to help you look a certain way, I'm here to help you feel a certain way. So let's get healthy."
9. BeFiT
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Example video (above): Denise Austin: Ultimate Fat Burn Workout
What else you'll find: Tons of full-length workouts, featuring popular fitness trainers such as Jillian Michaels, Denise Austin, Jane Fonda, Tara Stiles, Scott Herman, Bryan Tanaka, and more.
10. SparkPeople
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Example video (above): BabyFit's Upper Body Workout For Pregnancy
What else you'll find: Workout videos, pregnancy-specific workout videos, quick workout descriptions
11. Women's Health
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Example video (above): 5-Minute One-Dumbbell Workout For All-Over Toning
What else you'll find: Quick 5-minute work out-along videos; how-to move demos; workout descriptions; yoga moves
Editorial disclaimer: I used to work at Women's Health, so I might be a bit biased. But I also know how legit these workouts are!
12. Men's Health
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Example video (above): Staggered Kettlebell Swing
What else you'll find: Regular weekend challenges, quick descriptions of workouts, how-tos for a bunch of different moves
Another editorial disclaimer: I've worked here, too. And they also really know their stuff!
13. Men's Fitness
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Example video (above): 21-Minute Lunchtime Workout (note: It's only 1:19 long, but will go through all the moves you need for the whole workout)
What else you'll find: Workout overviews, fitness tips, training series
14. Six Pack Shortcuts
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Example video (above): Crazy Six Pack Abs Workout
What else you'll find: Mike Chang, owner of Six Pack Shortcuts, coaches you through tons of workouts (primarily focused on abs, of course).
15. Tone It Up
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Example video (above): Hump Day HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training
What else you'll find: Short full-length work out-along workouts, workout series, and more.
16. Jessamyn Stanley
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Example video (above): Yoga Warm-Up Poses - Morning Sequence
What else you'll find: Yoga inspiration, demonstrations for how to do different types of poses, occasional monthly challenges
17. Yoga With Adriene
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Example video (above): Power Yoga With Adriene
What else you'll find: 30- and 40-minute yoga videos that you can do from home, plus a 30-day yoga challenge that you can start anytime
18. HangTightwMarC
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Example video (above): Quick Killer LEG Circuit
What else you'll find: Full-length videos, yoga poses, yoga sequences