Gyms are exy business. Sure, they make it sound like you’re getting a good deal by offering a free protein bar with every sign up and inferring that without your membership you’re simply destined for a lifetime of piggery, but the fact of the matter is, you don’t actually need one.
The rise of the fitfluencer has brought with it the rise of the fitness e-book and online programs, and the beauty is that a lot of them don’t require a gym. ICYMI, bodyweight exercises are some of the most efficient you can do, and performing them at home means you can dodge the gym-bros that are hogging the weight rack.
Here are our top picks to ensure you’re getting a decent workout, without the price tag of a gym membership.
BBG
If your postcode is situated north west of under a rock, you might not have heard about BBG. Kayla Itsines has a modest 8.5 million followers on Instagram and is the creator of the world renowned Bikini Body Guides. Comprised of two twelve week programs that gradually increase in difficulty, the guides involve three 28 minute HIIT circuits per week, alongside rest days and two low intensity sessions.
You can opt to keep things old school with the e-books, or you can download the app for a super interactive workout with a fun horn that signals when to stop and start your circuit (#easilypleased).
Sweat It To Shred it
If you like your influencers charismatic, relatable and bubbly as hell (and we know that you do), look no further than Sarah’s Day. Full of beans and full of workouts to share with her sissy squad, Sarah created Sweat It To Shred It; an 8 week active lifestyle challenge that involves everything from sweaty shredders (as brutal as they sound), toning powers and 10 minute ab blasters to stretching days. No equipment is necessary, so you can get shredy with Sezzy live from your lounge room.
Emily Skye FIT
Queenslander Emily Skye has put together an online lifestyle program featuring HIIT, resistance and weight training, stretch sessions, nutritionally balanced meal plans, beauty classes and mindfulness exercises. The program also promises to make you look good with bangs. Kidding. But seriously, think of it as an online health destination with all the trimmings.
Keep It Cleaner
Melbourne models Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw have created an online healthy living community that includes grocery lists, boxing and circuit workouts plus $5 Boost Juice smoothies. Bargain!
Read our interview with Insta-babe Smith here, and check out the Keep It Cleaner program which works on a monthly subscription basis and can be done from wherever you are; on the road or at home.
Lets Start Yoga
If you like your workouts at a slightly floatier pace, why not deep dive into your yoga practice? Insta star Jessica Olie has created three books tailored at different standards of yoga, so you can find your flow regardless of ability.
In the Lets Start Yoga guides, Jessica takes you through the foundations of how to build a strong yoga practice to fit YOUR body. Step by step guidance on how to get into poses, how to progress in certain poses plus 10 flows for you to choose from are all included. And frankly, if that doesn’t sway you then let the minutes show that we’ve never seen someone look so good in a leotard and legwarmers, so there’s that.
