At home video workouts  – get your instructor led gym classes at home!

THE GYM IS CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19! I can’t exercise.
Even when it’s open, it’s too expensive. I’ll do it when I earn more.
I’m a mum, how the heck am I going to be able to exercise?!
I don’t feel confident or comfortable in a gym class environment; I feel like everyone is thinking how fat or unco I look.
Exercising on my own at home is boring and let’s be honest, I am not motivated enough.
I don’t have any work out gear (weights, cardio machines, etc) at home. What the heck could I do without it?

Bust the excuses not to workout

Do any of these sound familiar? Have you used one or two of them before to excuse your lack of exercise? I know I have. And for the most part, they can be real, valid reasons that we don’t engage in exercise in any given week. Gyms can be expensive and intimidating, and it can be difficult to get the time to go, especially when you’re a mum. Exercise just became even more difficult because most gyms have been closed due to CORVID-19! It’s not easy – I know! BUT, I sincerely believe from the bottom of my heart that every little bit of activity you do does you good, physically, mentally and emotionally.

So, let me help you get it happening – at home.

Instructor led at home workout plans for women and men

For about 6 months now I’ve been using the Les Mills on Demand streaming servicefrom both the gym and home because as a Mum I found it easier to take online gym classes at times that suited me. I wanted to remind you of this exercise app again, as I think more than ever before, it is a valuable tool to keep you fit, while your gym is shut and/or you have more time social distancing at home due to COVID-19.

Gym class workouts at home

Every single Les Mills release from every single Les Mills program is available to you when you want it and where you want it! Yes, yes, YES! The actual classes you can find in a gym are now in your own loungeroom. GET YOUR FAMILY, GET EXCITED, you WILL be able to stay (or get) fit during this time at home! These at home video workouts are incredibly fun.

Free 21 day trial for EPW readers

I found this program because Les Mills gave me a free trial, and a link so that you can try your own free trial for 21 daysand see if it’s right for you. But free trial or not, I rate this service. It fits my workouts to my lifestyle without me having to think about what I will be doing in my workout that day.

Here are the things I love most about this work from home exercise program:

1. All of their programs are available

Body Attack, Body Pump, Barre, Body Balance, GRIT, Body Step, CXWORX, RPM, The TRIP, Les Mills Sprint, Sh’Bam and Body Combat. So, whatever mood you’re in, or whatever equipment (or lack of equipment) you have, there are plenty of at home video workouts to suit. If I’m feeling tired and sore I can choose to do Body Balance for a whole week straight if it like!

2. 15 minute short Home Workouts or 1 hour long home workouts – you choose!

I’m often pushed for time, I might only have 20 minutes that I can spare for exercise, which I used to think wasn’t enough time and so I would skip it altogether. But, Les Mills have tailored all their classes and offer each class in short, medium and long versions. So, if you only have 15 minutes, there is a class for that, or if you want to do a full hour, there is a class for that too. You don’t need much space either for a good sweat session!

3. Convenience with kids

With naps and early bed times I spend a lot of time at my home these days. The idea of going to a gym class at 7pm sounds nice, but is not realistic. Les Mills on Demand allows me to stay at home and get my exercise done. 6am or 7:30pm gym class here I come! Often I just do it with the kids there and I can pause and come back to it as I need to!

4. Helpful during a change in lifestyle:

It’s also been a life saver over these past months whilst we have been in transition moving from Canberra to Queensland. If you’ve moved interstate, or anywhere new, you know the feeling. Everything is new, you need to get things sorted with the house and the kids, and finding a new gym that works for you falls to the bottom of the list. Les Mills on Demand has allowed me to keep up my exercise during this transition period and eliminated the added stress of finding (and getting to) a new gym in a new area.

This worked out particularly well now that most gyms are shut as I am already in the habit of using my Les Mills On Demand app. HOORAY!!!! Come join me, you will love it!

5. The best group fitness instructors

If you’re a regular attender of group fitness classes chances are you have experienced a less than wonderful instructor, or two. I definitely have, and it really impacts your experience and your workout. No longer!!! It’s obvious from reading this that I’m a huge fan of the program, but it’s because it’s so good! The instructors are professional, they never miss a beat and they record the programs as if they are right there personally instructing you in your loungeroom!

Things that may not suit some people about this program:

In the interest of keeping my review balanced, there are some things that might not suit everyone.

1. Equipment for your at home workouts – only sometimes! You can choose.

Some of the programs do require some basic equipment, but there are also a lot that don’t require any. There are three different programs that need an exercise bike, BODY PUMP needs weights and a barbell, CXWORK needs resistance tubes or weights and BODY STEP needs an exercise step. You can pick these up at a sports store or even Kmart. For my favourite no equipment home workouts from Les Mills see this home workout plan that uses the app’s video classes.

2. Class atmosphere

Sometimes I miss smiling at the person next to me who is also in ‘the hurt locker’. From time to time, I write a workout plan using these classes to do with my readers and I also offer a supportive chat group where we would compare notes (and muscle aches) around the workout we did that day. That was enough to motivate me more and fill my extroverted cup while I use these amazing at home video workouts to keep me fit and mentally strong.

Want in on the next EPW group challenge?

Follow me on instagramor subscribe to my fortnightly email newsletterto be advised when this home workout plan is released. If you want a guide before then, ignore the dates on this post, and work through the plan each day.

Want more support from me now?

If I don’t have a current plan running I am still happy to be your check in person just DM me on instagram.

Be smart when beginning your at home video workouts

Also, do make sure you have clearance from your doctor before you start exercising. Some of the classes are really tough and not appropriate for beginners. A wonderful feature of Les Mills on Demand is their intro videos, giving you the basic for each program and all the ‘how to’s’, but nothing beats personal instruction that can improve your interpretation of the exercises.

Licence to try a new exercise class (without feeling self conscious)!

You might already have access to Les Mills programs at your gym (when it is open), however it’s likely that your gym only has license to a handful of programs, not all of them. There are so many more types of workouts available through the app! Further, if you get self-conscious trying a new gym or class, doing it at home is a great way to begin to overcome this.

Let’s get you started on a new home workout routine!

So, do I think you should give Les Mills on Demand a go? Of course I do. You’ll feel healthier and happier for it. I want to see you succeed in your health and fitness goals and keep your mental health on track as we battle these challenging covid-19 lifestyle restrictions.

Start your free 21 day trial here. You can cancel the subscription for these at home video workouts at any time for free (including at the end of the 21 days), if you don’t enjoy it (but I bet you will!).

Tips for using this Les Mills home workout program:

To finish, here are my top tips for using the programto workout from home:

• Do a variety of workouts each week. Try to incorporate cardio, strength and stretching.
• If you’re new, watch the ‘how to’ videos for each class.
• Use as large a screen as you have available (smart tv or ipad). Watching the workouts on your phone is not ideal, especially if you are not familiar with the exercises included in that class.
• Make the most of their additional features, such as ‘saved classes’ and suggested ‘Workout Plans’, along with the online community for encouragement and support.
• Turn up the volume and SMILE!

You are going to have a lot of FUN doing these at home video workouts!

Go on! Start your free 21 day trial here. Then tag me @eatprayworkout in a story on social media so I can cheer you on!

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