Jump on over to Instagram for a free workout session
Instructors come into your living room and little equipment is needed.
We’ve long relied on fitness instructors for serotonin boosts when we’re feeling low. But how do we exercise now that gyms are closed and classes are canceled?
Fortunately, many trainers are coming to us live, right where we already are: on Instagram.
Wellness warriors have begun streaming workouts regularly. The classes often are conducted from their homes, with dogs and coupled with a positive “we can get through this together” attitude, right on Instagram Live. The exercise routines tend to be free (though some teachers and clubs ask for donations) and available to members, non-members, whomever. All you need to do to join is have the Instagram app, then tap on the streamer’s profile picture to hop into the class. (And don’t forget to turn on post notifications for the account.)
Hop where, exactly? We recommend these Instagram accounts for livestreamed workouts.
Women’s Health Magazine
Instagram:@womenshealthmag This is the page to follow if: You want a fitness account where they truly know what they’re doing. The Women’s Health Mag account has thorough instructions about how to join their workouts, saved as a highlight on their account, and features teachers who clearly have done this before. (Meanwhile, guys: @menshealthmag has daily workouts.)
Equipment: A chair and/or towel at most.
Frequency: Twice a day on Instagram Live for 15-30 minutes per class. The classes are available for delayed Instagram Live viewing for 24 hours after the class, as is the case for all IG Live classes recommended in this story, unless otherwise noted.
Rumble
Instagram:@doyourumble
This is the page to follow if: You like boxing-inspired workouts taught by quirky instructors. Jumping jacks, jabs, hooks? You’ll find them here.
Equipment: Yoga mat, playful attitude.
Frequency: Daily 30 minute-ish workouts at various times on Instagram Live, which are then shared on IGTV. Class times are shared in a video on Rumble’s IG grid.
Bandier
Instagram:@bandier
This is the page to follow if: You don’t want to commit to one studio, but you do want to commit to one time daily. Activewear brand Bandier is welcoming a variety of instructors from different classes to host videos on its account.
Equipment: Varies from no equipment to S’well bottles used as weights
Frequency: Daily on Instagram Live at 4 p.m. EDT.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Instagram:@barrys
This is the page to follow if: You don’t think being asked to do a pushup into a squat, over and over again, is an outrageous request. Also: You dig red lighting (which is used some of the time, a la Barry’s Bootcamp studios).
Equipment:None needed, but some might invest in Barry’s band kit that’s sold online.
Frequency: Twice daily on Instagram Live for about 20 minutes. Class times are shared on the “At-Home Sched” IG highlight. The live workouts are saved for on-demand viewing on IGTV.
Equinox
Instagram:@equinox
This is the page to follow if: You want a daily zen diversion, via meditation or yoga. (But if you’d prefer following a glossy Instagram class that’s not live, check out Equinox’s @Variis page for IGTV workouts.)
Equipment: Yoga mat. Frequency: Daily videos on Instagram Live. Session styles and types tend to be shared on IG Stories.
Basecamp Fitness
Instagram:@basecampfitness This is the page to follow if: You like different days designated for different muscle groups, and you appreciate options when it comes to workout timing.
Equipment: Household objects or hand weights, if anything.
Frequency: Four times daily on Instagram Live with recaps of the workouts posted (with instructor explanation) on their Instagram grid, which is also where class times are announced.
Forward Space
Instagram:@forward__space
This is the page to follow if: You just want to dance like (or because) no one’s watching. And if you prefer an instructor who lets the music do the talking.
Equipment: Nada, but you do need enough space to jump and flail.
Frequency: Daily IG Live videos at 2:05 p.m. EDT for about 30 minutes.
Chelsea Piers Fitness
Instagram:@chelseapiersfitness This is the page to follow if: You want to work up a sweat with a group of very laid-back East Coasters. Equipment: Usually a yoga mat. Frequency: Classes are approximately 30 minutes on Instagram Live, and are then shared on IGTV. Workout times are shared on IG Stories and/or the IG grid.
Studio Three
Instagram:@studiothreechi This is the page to follow if: You want a meditative workout from a diverse group of Chicago-based teachers who love intervals, yoga and/or glitter.
Equipment: You’ll want a mat, towel and some household objects for weights.
Frequency:At least once daily on Instagram Live, with some classes shared in IGTV or as an Instagram video afterward. Schedules are shared as part of their “#LIVEWITHS3” Instagram highlights.
Tyler Cameron
Instagram:@tylercameron3 This is the page to follow if: You like to look at palm trees and reality stars while you workout. “Bachelorette” personality Tyler Cameron is joined by his former on-screen (on-again?) flame Hannah Brown and others for outdoor sessions with fitness trainer Phil Fit. Equipment: A yoga mat. Frequency: Whenever they feel like it, for about 30 minutes a class. Phil also posts Instagram Live workouts, sometimes with Cameron’s crew, on his account.