If you’re like me, your biggest excuse for not exercising is lack of time. When COVID-19 hit, we had an abundance of free time, but all the studios and gyms were closed. The solution? At-home workout videos on YouTube! Over the past couple of months, I have seen a major transformation in my body and energy by pairing diet changes with a consistent exercise routine that I can do for free from the safety of my own home. There is a lot of content out there, and it can be intimidating when trying to find where to start, so I wanted to share my thoughts on five of the most popular at-home workout channels on YouTube.
The #ChloeTingChallenge trending on Tik Tok is what first turned my attention to YouTube for workout videos. She is best known for her “Get Abs in 2 WEEKS | Abs Workout Challenge” video that has over 243 million views. While I didn’t workout with this video for the full 14 days, I tried it a couple of times along with some of her other videos. I think she is easy to follow, and I like that she provides a preview of the next exercise during rest periods so you know what’s coming next. Similar to most other fitness channels, Chloe Ting’s videos feature a timer that tells you how long to do each exercise. Her audio is a voiceover, so it feels a little impersonal rather than feeling like she is working out with you. Framing exercise as time-boxed challenges does not promote sustainable healthy living, and misleading video titles like “Tiny Waist and Round Butt Workout” create unrealistic expectations that focus on specific aesthetics rather than staying active and getting stronger. Fat burn is a whole-body process and the majority of scientific studies have shown that it is not possible to target fat reduction in one area by exercising that body part alone. While you may see some results depending on where you are starting from, most people will not achieve a six-pack from following her “Abs Workout Challenge” for two weeks alone. Not many people know that Chloe’s free programs on her website group together sets of her videos for a well-rounded routine each day, as well as meal prep recipe videos on her channel. These can be utilized to develop healthy lifestyle habits, rather than the quick-fix style videos that she is known for.
Bottom line: I do not use Chloe Ting videos because her marketing practices just don’t sit right with me, but if you are motivated by challenges and don’t mind that you won’t exactly get what is promised from a video title, then Chloe Ting is for you!
Pamela Reif is a German model that started on Instagram before moving to YouTube. In a few of her videos that I tried, Pamela jumps immediately into her exercises without an introduction. There is no explanation of the exercises throughout the workout beyond the name on the screen and her demonstration, so it may be difficult to follow along if it’s your first time using a particular video or you are unfamiliar with exercise terminology. You actually don’t hear her voice at all throughout the video, so there are no words of encouragement or tips on how to execute the moves properly and effectively, which I find makes the workout boring and her channel lack personality. Not being able to hear her breathing or any sound from her makes me feel alone in the struggle. There are no rest periods built into the routines, and I found that the exercises themselves are organized in a way that repeatedly works the same muscle groups (i.e. multiple plank variations one after another), which can be hard to keep up with until you build up the strength needed. Although she does have some videos geared towards beginners, most of her videos are not accessible for everybody. She does post-workout plans on her Instagram highlights and has dance workout videos if you are looking for a way to make cardio fun!
Bottom line: If you only want to listen to music while you work out and aren’t self-conscious about having to pause the video while your instructor never breaks a sweat, then Pamela Reif is for you!
PopSugar Fitness is a sub-brand of the lifestyle and pop culture focused media company, PopSugar. This channel has guest fitness instructors lead a variety of classes, from yoga to kickboxing and HIIT workouts. The videos are longer (30 – 40 minutes) and usually include a warm-up and cool-down. Most of the videos include two demonstrators in addition to the instructor, one demonstrator to follow for the beginner modifications and the other for the advanced version of the workout, so there is something for everyone! This channel is highly produced and feels like it is targeted towards an older audience, as it reminds me of the DVDs my mom used to use when I was a kid. My biggest problem,which is probably a problem for most Northeastern students, is that PopSugar Fitness doesn’t have any apartment-friendly options like the other channels do, so I could only use these videos when I was quarantining at my parent’s house.
Bottom line: If you like variety in your workouts and don’t have downstairs neighbors, then PopSugar Fitness is for you!
Blogilates was created by certified Pilates instructor Cassey Ho back in 2009. Cassey brings a lot of energy and professionalism to her videos to give you an easy-to-follow experience similar to attending a group fitness class with your favorite instructor. She is a true businesswoman that churns out content on her website, like printable workout calendars, personal blog posts, and recipes. She even has an app, Body by Blogilates. What I love about Ho is that she speaks openly about her own struggles with body image and the criticism she receives as a public figure. In 2019, she announced she was going on a 90-day weight loss journey that started a divisive conversation about body positivity and fitness goals. She addresses the backlash in her video titled “How I lost 17.5 pounds in 12 Weeks | My 90 Day Journey” to clarify, “I didn’t go on this journey because I hated my body. I went on this journey because I love my body so much that I wanted to dedicate time towards improving myself, mentally and physically.” Her channel promotes a mindful approach to fitness that is about health, happiness, and confidence.
Bottom line: If you love high energy group workout instructors and are interested in fitness content that isn’t just about the exercises, Blogilates is for you!
An alternative title for this article could be “What is the best YouTube fitness channel and why is it MadFit?” Although Maddie Lymburner doesn’t have any official teaching credentials, she has a dance background and it shows through the types of exercises she chooses and the strength and control exhibited while she works out with you. She demonstrates each exercise, either during the rest periods or before the workout begins, and she focuses on technique to make sure you are doing each exercise effectively and safely. I love her apartment-friendly HIIT videos because she uses exercises that combine multiple movements for a tough, full-body workout without jumping. This approach differs from other channels that propose low impact alternatives that sometimes barely get my heart rate up. She is soft-spoken, and her workout space is very aesthetically pleasing, so her videos have a chill vibe while maintaining personality. If TikTok became your other quarantine obsession, then you’ll love her workouts set to popular TikTok songs. Like Pamela, Maddie also has fun dance cardio videos. She posts vegan recipes on her website and lifestyle YouTube channel, Maddie Lymburner, and has two ecookbooks. I always feel energized and inspired after working out with MadFit videos!
Bottom line: If you have a dance background or dislike the typical fitness instructor personality, then MadFit is for you!
I recognize that health and fitness are deeply personal, and this review is based solely on what I value in my ideal at-home workout options. I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or trained fitness professional. Everyone has personal goals related to exercise, whether that is weight loss, strengthening, or just living an active lifestyle. No approach is better than another as long as it is being done with a healthy lifestyle in mind, knowing that what is “healthy” can look different on everyone. My philosophy is that although it is challenging, exercise should make you feel good—mentally and physically. I grew up as a ballet dancer subjected to a toxic environment for the development of a positive body image. However, today I try to take pride in my fitness journey and see it as a reflection of my self-discipline and dedication to living a fuller life by my definition of what is fulfilling for me. Society sets enough unrealistic standards regarding bodies, and people will criticize others no matter what, so focusing on yourself and who you want to be first and foremost will yield the most important results!