My Favorite Online Fitness Classes

No matter what your normal is outside of quarantine and social distancing, the past few weeks have been weird for us all as we adjust to new ways of living and socializing from home in the wake of COVID. While I’m a homebody by nature, the biggest adjustment for me has been adjusting to my new normal of at-home workout classes. I love classes because they force me to get my workout done, feel more efficient than going to the gym, and I have my instructors that I love and follow for each of my favorite studios. 

Beyond the physical outcomes of working out, it has become my spiritual practice in quarantine to feel like myself, distract me when I’m feeling down or anxious, and to get my body moving after sitting at my computer writing all day. In addition to my favorite classes and fitness resources that I have listed below (of which I will continue to add to), I make it a point to get out and walk for 30 minutes each day and tune into my favorite podcasts -- currently at the top is Brené Brown’s new podcast, Unlocking Yourself. 

No week looks the same for me these days, and I love that with the below selection of workout resources, I can mix-and-match what my movement looks like each day. Sometimes that means looking inwards for a longer meditation, indulging in comfort food, and taking Beau on a walk - other days, it means doing an hour of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and finishing with a yoga flow. As always, social media can be amazing and inspirational, or it can cause us to go into “I’m not doing enough” spirals causing anxiety especially throughout these times. Remember to be kind to yourself and listen to your body - these resources are only here for when you are feeling inspired to move, and the best part about them is that no one is watching you or competing with you. 

Bandier

If you’re looking to mix it up each day of the week or you like being surprised by what today’s workout will bring, Bandier hosts a fitness class each day at 4pm EST  on their IG Live with a variety of instructors from Ash Wilking of Rumble to Megan Roup to Amanda Kloots. Plus, they post their schedule for the week on their feed each Monday so you can pick and choose what classes you want to tune into whether it’s yoga, meditation, sculpting, or dance cardio.

Rumble

If you have never taken a Rumble class, now is the time to try it out and get an amazing bodyweight (no equipment needed) workout in while you’re at it. Rumble has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, and I can attest for how great the classes online have been the past few weeks. Rumble posts their schedule for the week each Monday, so if you have a favorite instructor, you can tune into their class. Each of their IG Live classes are at 6pm EST and are posted as IGTV’s after the fact so you can always go back to a class that you love. I recommend doing Rumble twice a week for cardio and toning.

Body by SJade

You may know Samantha Jade’s classes from SoulCycle, but her Body by SJade classes are some of my favorite. I especially resonate with her teaching style because her classes are structured to work with what you have (read: your body weight sans added props) while listening to what your body needs. Her classes are on Zoom everyday except for Sunday, cost $10 per class on her website, and are focused on mat toning.

AloMoves

While I love yoga for the mind and wellness benefits, I love yoga-based toning workouts even more. AloMoves is Alo’s online fitness database with literally thousands of classes from various styles of yoga to HIIT to barre. I love AloMoves because you can filter by duration of class, type of workout, intensity, and level, and each search brings up so many amazing options to choose from. You can sign up for AloMoves and get 2 weeks free, and after that, it costs $20 per month or $199 per year, which pays for itself with one class per month. 

Sculpt Society by Megan Roup

When I near the end of the week, I get antsy about my workouts and itch to do something more fun than rigid. The Sculpt Society is Megan Roup’s virtual fitness platform that has hundreds of videos from isolated muscle-group toning to - my favorite - dance and sculpt classes. Your first two weeks are free, and after that, it’s $20 per month.

Solidcore

Solidcore is one of my go-to classes in the city, and while most of us don’t have megareformers at our disposal in quarantine, there are a handful of other options to get the Solidcore level of toning from your living room with few props. I love tuning into their IGTV and YouTube classes that always live on their page, but they also just upped their virtual training by launching live online classes on their website for $15 per class that are held on Zoom and limited to only a handful of people per class for the intimate class feel. 

Lululemon

As many of you know, I have been a long-time lover of Lululemon. Ever since I was a competitive dancer, it has been the brand that I go to for all of my active and loungewear needs, and beyond the clothes, they have an entire section on their website for online classes. Between meditation, yoga, and various fitness challenges, they have a perfectly curated selection of at-home wellness perfect for these times. 

Movement by Malia

I met Malia last year at a few events and workout classes, and since have taken her Solidcore classes (she teaches at the Chelsea studio, and I highly recommend her classes). Since the Stay At Home order, Malia has started teaching classes at home including Full Body Sweat and Full Body Stretch on Zoom. Sign up for her email list on her website and you will be emailed with links to the Zoom meetings prior to the class starting.

Nike Training App

I started using the Nike Training last year when I realized that I have no idea what to do with myself when I go to the gym. Whether you have equipment or not, the Nike Training app is an amazing way to target specific muscle groups or do an at-home class led by a Nike Trainer. The app is free, but you can upgrade to the premium (paid) subscription for certain add-ons and features.

Barry’s

Barry’s classes have been a long time favorite of mine, combining cardio (treadmill) with floor training for the perfect workout. In the past few weeks, they have taken their workouts online on their Instagram with IGTVs and Instagram Live streams to get you sweaty and toned. Check their Instagram story each morning to see what’s on the schedule for that day.

Is there a workout that you have been living for that I didn’t mention? DM me on Instagram to spread the wealth and I will continue adding classes to this post over the coming weeks and months.