Stretching ()
We may have started the year with the best intentions, such as eating healthier and working out more; however, you, like me, may have already given up two weeks in. The only marathon I have trained for was the entire series of “The Office,” and some days the only steps I squeezed in last year were from the couch to the kitchen cabinet for the hidden Oreos. With the new year upon us, it’s time to reset and realign those goals to match reality and it's not too late to restart. These nine programs guarantee not only a great sweat session, but they can also be done without a gym and they’re a blast to try.
Peloton – Currently one of the hottest fitness trends, Peloton has stores and studios in Germany and the U.K. The bicycles are expensive, but you don’t have to shell out dough for the bike to get your sweat on — you can still utilize the app. Offering live and on-demand classes, choose between cycling, HIIT cardio, yoga, strength and more. The digital membership (sans cycle) is $12.99 per month.
Zumba – Zumba is a high energy, hip-shaking program with awesome music and movies. It’s often offered at fitness centers on military installations and no special equipment is needed. During the pandemic, instructors upped their game to offer livestreamed classes. You can pay-per-class or purchase a class package for multiple classes. Price varies per class.
Beach Body – Fitness legends Tony Horton, Shaun T. and Chalene Johnson added their popular workout regimens to an on-demand platform. More than 1,500 classes from programs such as P90X, Insanity, 21-Day Fix, PiYo and 80-Day Obsession are available to try. A three-month membership is $38.87, six months for $59 or $99 for one year.
Jazzercise – Synonymous with spandex leotards in the 80s, today’s Jazzercise classes have incorporated kickboxing, new dance moves and music, strength training and an array of classes to choose from. New classes are added to the on-demand platform every Tuesday. Price is $19.99 per month, with legwarmers and headbands optional.
Just Dance – Fun for the whole family, Just Dance is a video game available on Nintendo, Xbox and Playstation consoles. The basic game includes 40 songs to move to, or you can upgrade to Just Dance Unlimited for more than 550 songs. The most current version of the game retails for $49.99. The unlimited subscription is $2.99 per day, $3.99 for one month, $9.99 for three months or $24.99 for one year.
CrossFit – Focusing on different muscle groups, varied movements and repetitions, CrossFit creates a challenging and intense workout. Some boxes (gyms) offer classes via Zoom, so you may want to check your local box. For experienced CrossFitters, many workouts of the day (WODs) are available online for those who have access to equipment.
Pure Barre – Based on poised ballet movements, Pure Barre incorporates low-impact and high-intensity movements to promote strength, flexibility and agility. The company recently launched Pure Barre GO, their on-demand platform. You can choose from a variety of classes ranging from five minutes to an hour. Membership is $29.99 per month.
Kait Hurley: Move + Meditate – Combining serious cardio with calming meditative moves, Kait Hurley has developed a fantastic combination to stay active and refocus your mind, working on wellness as a whole. With a variety of classes at different intensity levels offered, plans begin at $9.99 a month.
Couch to 5K – If you’ve ever wanted to become a runner or need to get back into it, this program is a great way to begin (or start over). Starting with walking and gradually building up running endurance, the program works at your own pace. It’s not about how fast you go, only that you start. There are plenty of free apps you can download to help track your progress.
Grab your water, dust off your workout gear and give one (or more) of these fun fitness programs a try. The only thing you’ve got to lose is the calories from the extra bag of Cheetos.
