The best apps for exercising at home..
There’s not always time to get out and exercise – especially for busy parents who have to fit the school run into their working day. And how hard is it to drag yourself to the gym after work, especially in winter? Once you have sorted dinner, figured out the kids’ homework, battled over bedtime and found a moment for a cuppa, the desire to get changed and leave the house is low.
Luckily, there are a number of exercise apps, many of which have excellent free classes, that you can download and use in the comfort of your own living room. From yoga and Pilates to HIIT, you can find the class to suit you.
Here’s our round up of the team’s favourites:
FitOn
This app offers a huge selection of free workouts, in 5-10 to 30 minute plus sessions, across six target areas, from booty to back, abs, arms, legs and total body. If you love to sweat it out, there’s plenty to choose from, or wind down with yoga, stretch or meditation classes. If you really love it, you can upgrade, for a fee, and benefit from exclusive programmes, personalised meal plans and recipes and being able to cast your class to your TV, rather than try to follow it on the much smaller screen of your phone.
Cost: free to use, though there is an option to upgrade
Nike Training Club
Another free app with a wide range of classes, including HIIT, strength training, yoga, and mobility. You can set up a four- to six-week personal training plan that helps you set and achieve your fitness goals, and offers support with diet and wellness too. The app is designed to be used at home or in the gym, where sometimes the plethora of machines and weights can be quite daunting.
Cost: free to use
Les Mills+
Who hasn’t heard of Les Mills?! One of the first brands to launch group training – BodyPump, BodyCombat, etc, Les Mills has developed an app to allow you to take all their learning and bring it into your own home.
It’s absolutely packed with workouts, from their iconic BodyPump to slightly more chill yoga. You can choose one-off sessions as the mood takes, or set up a 12-week training programme to achieve a pre-set goal.
Cost: £12.99 monthly, or an annual membership for £119.98 (save £35.90)
Centr
Developed by Chris Hemsworth (yes, that’s right Thor) the Centr app offers a huge selection of HIIT, strength and cardio training – but don’t worry, it’s not all about gaining Norse god style arms. There’s yoga, meditations and you can choose your level, too. For exercising at home, you can choose your class by selecting the equipment you have available to you (we don’t all have kettle bells in the hall cupboard) and there’s a meal planner too, so you can take a holistic approach to your health and fitness goals. Plus, it’s Chris, as one team member felt important to make clear,
Cost: £22.99 per month, £44.99 for three months, or £93.99 for 12 months
The Body Coach
Joe Wicks gained national fame during lockdown, when his free classes brought whole families together to exercise, His no-nonsense, keep it simple, approach has been extended to his app, which offers structured workout training cycles to suit your needs, supported by personalised meal planning to help you achieve your fitness and health goals. All classes are led by the man himself, with weekly live workouts you can join too, and your classes update every four weeks to stop you getting bored and lift you to the next level.
Cost: £69.99 per year (though there is a £20 discount during September)
Whichever you choose, setting aside even ten minutes per day is the surest way to building a new, fitter, leaner you – and as Christmas is just around the corner, now is the time to start, so you can eat with enjoyment when the big day comes.
Eddie – Friday 13th September 2024. (Image used from Mayfield Road, Whalley Range).
