Don’t underestimate the health and fitness benefits of online exercise
Since the Covid-19 outbreak last year the online fitness industry has seen massive boom. More people are turning to online workouts because it can be more convenient while they work from home or juggle the multiple responsibilities of busy lifestyles.
And that’s why I think it’s here to stay!
Whether you’re interested in HIIT, yoga, strength training or dance classes, you can find streaming services and virtual workouts at the click of a button and benefit from these advantages:
IT’S CONVENIENT. You can access workouts in your own time, and fit it around your schedule. You may love group classes at the gym, but it’s a lot faster to squeeze in a workout at home during busy days. Plus, you can choose whatever class you want instead of being limited by your gym’s timetable. Most online providers offer video workouts that can be done anywhere, in a small space or outside, and with or without equipment.
IT’S COST EFFECTIVE. The average gym membership can cost £360/year or more, which is a lot to pay if you aren’t using it regularly. Online streaming services typically cost a fraction of the price of gym memberships. You can find lots of free online workouts or if you want a better service you can subscribe to monthly plans from just a few pounds per month. At that price, even if you did one workout a month (and you know you’d do more than that), the subscription easily pays for itself.
VARIETY. Mixing up your training has never been easier with the sheer volume and types of exercise sessions available today. You can choose from livestream or pre-recorded, with formats such as boot camp, Pilates, yoga, interval training, core conditioning, dance classes and more, available through websites, streaming services or apps. At East Coast Fitness we offer classes of different intensities (beginner and advanced) and we have sessions that utilise equipment like kettlebells and dumbbells and we also have body weight only workouts. No matter what you’re looking for you’ll find it, you’ll find something to suit you online.
PRIVACY. With social distancing the new normal, some people may prefer to exercise alone rather in larger group settings. Plus, using online workouts mean you don’t have to worry about getting to the class early and saving your favourite spot. And you get to wear what you want; there’s no judgment for bed head or your old tatty gym T-shirt.
You’ll find that some instructors record workouts in professional studios, while others show you their more personal side and record from their living room, with or without their pets hanging around. Even through a screen, you can get a comfortable, more personal, private session.
Get Started
If you’d like to take on fun and effective online workouts at home, you can start with a 7-day trial of East Coast Fitness Online Boot Camp, and begin reaping the benefits of HIIT sessions for your body and mind.
Adults should - Aim to be physically active every day. Any activity is better than none, and more is better still.
Do strengthening activities that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) on at least 2 days a week.
Do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week.
Reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.
You can also achieve your weekly activity target with:
Several short sessions of very vigorous intensity activity.
A mix of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous intensity activity.
You can do your weekly target of physical activity on a single day or over 2 or more days.