Four of the best home workout programs without equipment

Millions of Aussies are now in lockdown and struggling to get their exercise fix – but Apple has recently launched a cheap solution.

We thought we’d left lockdown in 2020 – but sadly we were wrong, very wrong.

As a huge number of Australians adjust to doing everything at home once again, it seems some of us have forgotten how to work out inside, with exercise-related Google searches up dramatically compared to this time last week.

This is partly due to the fact gyms in the hotspot areas in NSW, Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory have been forced to close due to sudden lockdowns, leaving residents scrambling for alternatives in eerily similar to scenes to what we experienced last year.

While outdoor exercise in socially distanced groups of 10 is permitted in some states, many would rather do their workouts at home, so we’ve rounded up the best at-home fitness options, including a few newbies that have launched since those long-forgotten months stuck inside last year.

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Forgotten how to workout at home since last year’s lockdown? Same. Picture: Instagram/AppleFitness+

Apple Fitness+

This is the new kid on the at-home workout block, a fitness program integrated into the Apple Watch that allows members access to guided exercise routines at home using an iPad, iPhone or Apple TV – ideal for those 12 million Aussies currently locked down.

It costs $14.99 a month to gain access to its studio-style workouts including HIIT, yoga and even walking – but its unique point of difference compared to other app-based gym services is how it syncs with your Apple Watch to track your calories, monitor your heart rate and keep you motivated by suggesting workouts based on your exercise history.

The AppleFitness+ workouts are easy to follow at home. Picture: Supplied

I’ve been using the service on and off for the last six months and what I really like about it is that your real-time metrics are shown on-screen including a burn bar, a measurement for you to compare your effort to others who’ve done the same workout, that helps keep me pushing forward when I would usually slack off.

There are also some really fun new features such as “Time to Walk” which is essentially an interesting conversation with a well-known celebrity while you strap on your runners and get outside for a Covid-safe stroll. Episodes include supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Stephen Fry and gold medallist in the first ever women’s Olympic marathon Joan Benoit Samuelson. Most recently award-winning actress Gina Rodriguez from TV series Jane the Virgin joined the line-up in a candid talk on how she built body confidence.

Each workout is super easy to follow and you can filter the virtual classes by duration and equipment – you can even do it by music which is great if you have a particular jam you like to work out to.

Plus when we can get back in the gym you can use it to take guided treadmill and rowing workouts too which was how I was using it before lockdown.

Peloton

The official bikes and equipment don’t actually hit shelves in Australia until July 14, but you can still access the brand’s unlimited virtual classes for $16.99 – and you don’t need a spin bike. Peloton’s app, which doesn’t require official products to join, offers more than 10 fitness disciplines including running (outdoor and indoor), cardio, strength, yoga and more.

If you’re a fan of spin and have an indoor bike at home, you can also use it to access its cult-spinning workouts. Hopefully we’ll be out of lockdown by the time the $3695 bikes launch Down Under. There’s currently a 90-day free trial offer for Australians as well.

Peloton runs more than cycling classes on its app. Picture: Instagram/Peloton

Kayla Itsines

During lockdown last year, fitness queen Kayla Itsines updated many of the workouts on her app to accommodate being completed in confined spaces with little to no equipment. Since then the High Intensity program (formerly called BBG) has expanded to include a whole section with “zero equipment”. Membership costs $19.99 a month, but there’s a seven-day free trial you can do to test it out before you commit.

Kayla Itsines’ app has a whole section dedicated to zero equipment workouts. Picture: Instagram/KaylaItsines

Centr

It’s no surprise Chris Hemsworth has built one of the most comprehensive at-home workout programs available, giving users access to tonnes of different training options as well as healthy recipes and heaps of tips and advice. It costs $29.99 a month and while the Hollywood actor doesn’t lead any of the workout videos himself, he’s previously revealed he uses the workouts to keep himself in shape – so if that’s what we can achieve, sign us up.

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