Happy New Year! I know a lot of people generally make exercise a new year’s resolution, so I’m here to help. Note: you may want to bookmark this post for February/April/January 2nd or whenever it is that your motivation fades into the couch.
My latest handpicked health fave is a free YouTube channel called Fitness Blender. They actually have a website, too, with personalized programs and memberships available as well as recipes and meal plans. I personally have not explored or utlilized the services they offer on their website, but if you do, let me know what you think!
Efficient & Varied Workouts
I have been using their free YouTube workouts for over 4 years now and love them. The creators of Fitness Blender are a married team, Daniel and Kelli, and theirs are the videos I use most often. Over the years they have added other workout instructors as well, so play around and see who you like best! One of my favorite things about Fitness Blender is the wide variety of workouts and workout lengths. Only have ten minutes and want to target your upper body? They’ve got it. Want a longer workout that combines strength and cardio? It’s there. No matter the length of the video, though, every workout is an efficient and effective use of your time. As Kelli likes to say, you don’t need to exercise for hours every day if you’re doing it right.
I love that there is more than just one or two options for each type of workout. I’m the type of person who cannot just do the same glutes workout every Monday (and actually research shows the best workouts are varied ones to keep your muscles guessing). Luckily, I’ve so far found at least ten different glute routines through Fitness Blender that I like. I’m never bored, and I know each workout is going to be a good one.
By Real People For Real People
Fitness Blender videos are easy to follow, and they tell you what to expect up front in terms of warm-up, format, equipment needed, and cool down. Best of all, the instructors are real people. They do the workout right along with you, getting tired and sweaty just like a normal person! All the exercises are explained, and I feel motivated without being yelled at.
Each video also offers modifications for real people. Maybe you need low impact moves because you live in an apartment or are nursing a healing knee injury. Maybe you want to up the intensity. They’ll tell you what to do. There are videos that include equipment like bands or weights, and there are videos that require zero equipment (these are great for travel, if you’re just getting started, or if you’re returning after illness or injury). Fitness Blender even has a whole series of “Bored Easily” workouts with no repeat moves, for those of us who need a lot of variety.
No Cheese
Another great thing about Fitness Blender is that it’s not corny or cheesy. They play no music, leaving you free to play whatever music you like and still hear the instructions. Each video is only one or two of their instructors (I find it adorable when Kelli and Daniel lead a workout together), in a completely plain white background. The newer instructors are in different tastefully decorated rooms. No Britney-Spears style headsets, no fancy production or sets.
Convenience Factor
I really got into Fitness Blender workouts during the pandemic because they are the perfect at-home workout. This is around the time I realized I needed to be adding strength/resistance workouts regularly, and I credit Fitness Blender with not only getting me into lifting weights, but making it sustainable for me.
I first started by just bringing my laptop to my workout area, until my husband got AppleTV for all our TVs, and now I can just pull it up on the big screen. However, even if all you have is your phone or tablet, it’s easy to do these workouts anywhere, anytime. I’ve done Fitness Blender workouts by myself, with my husband, and even with my 8-year-old son. He loves the HIIT workouts!
If you’re someone who finds it hard to make time to exercise, or just can’t get motivated to leave the house to work out, I urge you to try home workouts with Fitness Blender as a helpful tool in your toolkit.
Here are a few of my faves from Fitness Blender:
15-Minute Shoulder, Chest, Arm & Back Workout
Compound Upper Body & Abs Workout
20-Minute Bored Easily Butt & Thigh
As you get started with or continue your workout routine, don’t forget that having a buddy to keep you accountable is super helpful—even if you’re exercising at home! Find a partner either in your house, or someone you can call or text when it’s time to workout. Need someone to text you at 5am? I’m your girl! Sometimes it’s just nice to know that you’re not the only person up working out while it’s still dark out…
Happy New Year & Happy Moving!
Nicole
