Streaming workouts my husband and I can do at home in our living room
August 4, 2020 10:12 AM Subscribe
We (cis woman and cis man) are fat and are trying to get un-fat. We are looking for some sort of guided exercise we can do in our home with minimal equipment. I am not buying a stationary bike or big weight bench or anything like that. My ideal scenario would be a YouTube series that does not feature only women doing aerobics and is achievable for fat people who are not in shape.
We live in an extremely hot and humid tropical climate so we need to work out indoors and we need some sort of structure, and we only have about 2 hours a day to ourselves so we need to do it together. It doesn't have to be free, I will pay for a program that's really good. No pilates, no yoga, we need cardio and strength training that is accessible for both of us.
We live in an extremely hot and humid tropical climate so we need to work out indoors and we need some sort of structure, and we only have about 2 hours a day to ourselves so we need to do it together. It doesn't have to be free, I will pay for a program that's really good. No pilates, no yoga, we need cardio and strength training that is accessible for both of us.
Response by poster: Neither of us have played video games since about 1989 so it probably won't be a good fit for unless it looks like NES Super Mario Bros 3
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:24 AM on August 4, 2020
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:24 AM on August 4, 2020
I really like the Body Project YT channel, which is low impact, beginner friendly and positive. Most of their videos (eg) are co-led by a man and a woman.
posted by randomnity at 10:40 AM on August 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by randomnity at 10:40 AM on August 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
I know it’s kind of cheesy, but I still love Richard Simmons for the positivity, adaptations and the various different bodies and people in the videos. Many of them are available on YouTube or linked from Richard Simmon’s facebook
posted by raccoon409 at 10:52 AM on August 4, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 10:52 AM on August 4, 2020 [3 favorites]
For beginners I highly recommend the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels. If you have Prime Video or cable you can normally buy the Level 1 very cheap. I paid $1.99 for it a while back. It's only 20 minutes long or so and incorporates cardio and strength. The only equipment I use is a pair of hand weights.
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 10:55 AM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 10:55 AM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
The Zombies, Run! game has added free at-home workout programs.
posted by Lexica at 11:03 AM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Lexica at 11:03 AM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
Planet Fitness has been posting daily workouts on YouTube that sound like they’d work for you. Some of the ones with special guest hosts aren’t very good, but the others typically have modifications for less more difficulty and only need room to move in front of the TV and comfy clothes. Male and female presenters in living room like settings.
posted by momus_window at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2020
posted by momus_window at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2020
Seconding Body Project -- very positive and inspiring. If you enjoy the free workouts on youtube you can go to their website and buy a membership and get hundreds more.
posted by JanetLand at 12:06 PM on August 4, 2020
posted by JanetLand at 12:06 PM on August 4, 2020
Do you like to dance? I started doing zumba on YouTube and amazon prime. There are usually men and women dancing, and it makes time go by faster than other workouts. You don't have to take yourselves seriously and you can dance with your partner while trying to follow some moves. It makes me SWEAT!
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 12:19 PM on August 4, 2020
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 12:19 PM on August 4, 2020
Hi. I'm a formerly Extremely Fat and Extremely Unfit person and now I'm a Much Less Fat and Very Fit person. I achieved this very slowly, and I'm a woman in my 50s FYI.
What I suggest for you right now, given the circumstances: Orange Theory's YouTube, where they are posting daily workouts. Here's why:
-- The setup and instructions are very clear, and it's very easy to see how much time you are going to be doing one exercise, how much time is left, etc.
-- These are all workouts meant to be done at home, inside.
-- Some workouts are truly zero equipment. Some call for easily accessible items: a chair; one weight (can be a filled water bottle, for example, or a dumbbell, or a thick book); or two weights (two filled water bottles will easily work). You can look around your house for other things to use as weights. (Today's demo included a guy using two bricks.)
-- For most exercises, they demonstrate an easier version. I'd also say to you that for any exercise they show with a weight, you don't have to use any weight at all.
-- They only have a trainer demonstrating the exercise - no other participants. One down side to this is that yes, the trainers are all very fit. But there is little to none of that sort of insane-making trainer talk.
-- Most of the workouts are between 30 - 50 minutes, and this includes warm-up and cool down.
-- There is a bit of sales talk like "Call your local Orange Theory!" but it's short. Maybe like 1 minute total.
I am using these as part of my daily "stuck at home" routine and I am finding them very helpful.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:19 PM on August 4, 2020 [10 favorites]
What I suggest for you right now, given the circumstances: Orange Theory's YouTube, where they are posting daily workouts. Here's why:
-- The setup and instructions are very clear, and it's very easy to see how much time you are going to be doing one exercise, how much time is left, etc.
-- These are all workouts meant to be done at home, inside.
-- Some workouts are truly zero equipment. Some call for easily accessible items: a chair; one weight (can be a filled water bottle, for example, or a dumbbell, or a thick book); or two weights (two filled water bottles will easily work). You can look around your house for other things to use as weights. (Today's demo included a guy using two bricks.)
-- For most exercises, they demonstrate an easier version. I'd also say to you that for any exercise they show with a weight, you don't have to use any weight at all.
-- They only have a trainer demonstrating the exercise - no other participants. One down side to this is that yes, the trainers are all very fit. But there is little to none of that sort of insane-making trainer talk.
-- Most of the workouts are between 30 - 50 minutes, and this includes warm-up and cool down.
-- There is a bit of sales talk like "Call your local Orange Theory!" but it's short. Maybe like 1 minute total.
I am using these as part of my daily "stuck at home" routine and I am finding them very helpful.
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:19 PM on August 4, 2020 [10 favorites]
Thirding the Body Project! If I hadn't bruised up my knee a couple weeks back I'd be doing them every morning (and now that my knee is nearly recovered I'm starting up again next week)!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:44 PM on August 4, 2020
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:44 PM on August 4, 2020
I've recommended this elsewhere here: Beachbody on Demand. It's $99 per year for many, many structured programs. You can stream it through the app and Fire Stick. Most programs, you just need hand weights of the size that you'd be able to get from Target. I am overweight and wasn't particularly fit, and I've been able to complete several of the programs. There are male leads and female leads, and the workout groups are a good mix of both.
But the catch is Beachbody. It's MLM, in case that gives you any heartburn. When you sign up on their website, you will get connected with a coach. They will try to coach you, which is fine if you like the motivational talks. But they will also try to sell you the shakes and supplements or try to get you to become a coach. The programs work just fine without their supplements, and i have no desire to be anybody's downline, so I personally just ignore all of those overtures and exercise in peace.
posted by BlueBear at 12:45 PM on August 4, 2020
But the catch is Beachbody. It's MLM, in case that gives you any heartburn. When you sign up on their website, you will get connected with a coach. They will try to coach you, which is fine if you like the motivational talks. But they will also try to sell you the shakes and supplements or try to get you to become a coach. The programs work just fine without their supplements, and i have no desire to be anybody's downline, so I personally just ignore all of those overtures and exercise in peace.
posted by BlueBear at 12:45 PM on August 4, 2020
Do you have or are you interested in a FitBit device? If you pay for a membership, you get access to the FitBit Coach app, which is a whole collection of strength, cardio, etc. workouts. And your devices keeps track of your heart rate, calories burned, etc. during these workouts. I kinda love it. I started with this "Work Up to Push-Ups" program on FitBit Coach--I have never had any upper body strength--and within the first two weeks I felt more competent doing upper body stuff than I'd ever felt in my life.
I would add that it's important to set some goals, regardless of what approach you choose. Goals like "I want to get fit" don't lead anywhere. Goals like "I want to be able to do 10 push-ups in good form, without stopping, within 2 months," are testable, tweakable, and can be accomplished.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 12:54 PM on August 4, 2020
I would add that it's important to set some goals, regardless of what approach you choose. Goals like "I want to get fit" don't lead anywhere. Goals like "I want to be able to do 10 push-ups in good form, without stopping, within 2 months," are testable, tweakable, and can be accomplished.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 12:54 PM on August 4, 2020
Buy a kettlebell or two (minimal equipment) and look into kettlebell circuit programs. Nice combination Or cardio and strength.
posted by shaademaan at 1:03 PM on August 4, 2020
posted by shaademaan at 1:03 PM on August 4, 2020
If you can get ahold of a few kettlebells*, consider prokettlebell.com. The KettleFit track includes 4 workouts a week, 30-40 minutes. They also have some body weight only workouts. At that link you can see one of the free weekly workouts as a sample, and technique videos for the kettlebell sport lifts used in the program.
This is the covid-inspired enterprise from my in-person gym. I am a happy fatty growing muscles (not trying to get less fat) and I am getting demonstrably stronger doing these workouts 4x a week in my garage. The people in the videos are incredibly strong, and the videos include some exercises I can't do, but it's easy to dial back (e.g. planks on knees, squats to your level of comfortable mobility, no jumping around). Most of the workouts consist of short, intense intervals, with short breaks inbetween. To start I would recommend doing part of a workout, and increasing the rest periods, or if you don't want to get too much gear you could hand off the bells and rest while your partner does their set.
Safety caveat: if you are prone to back injury, lifting kettlebells with bad form is hazardous. Depending on how you feel about learning from a video without a coach to check your form, this may not be a good idea for you. I am prone to back injury and overdid it once and was out of commission for a few weeks...but that was one injury in almost two years of lifting, due to my ego and lifting too heavy for my fitness level.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!
*Options: sign up for restock alerts with Rogue Fitness or Kettlebell Kings, sign up for prokettlebell.com emails and jump when they start selling their custom design, and I finally see options back on Amazon too. Start with 4kg and 6kg. You can do the workout with one bell, or two.
posted by esoterrica at 1:11 PM on August 4, 2020
This is the covid-inspired enterprise from my in-person gym. I am a happy fatty growing muscles (not trying to get less fat) and I am getting demonstrably stronger doing these workouts 4x a week in my garage. The people in the videos are incredibly strong, and the videos include some exercises I can't do, but it's easy to dial back (e.g. planks on knees, squats to your level of comfortable mobility, no jumping around). Most of the workouts consist of short, intense intervals, with short breaks inbetween. To start I would recommend doing part of a workout, and increasing the rest periods, or if you don't want to get too much gear you could hand off the bells and rest while your partner does their set.
Safety caveat: if you are prone to back injury, lifting kettlebells with bad form is hazardous. Depending on how you feel about learning from a video without a coach to check your form, this may not be a good idea for you. I am prone to back injury and overdid it once and was out of commission for a few weeks...but that was one injury in almost two years of lifting, due to my ego and lifting too heavy for my fitness level.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!
*Options: sign up for restock alerts with Rogue Fitness or Kettlebell Kings, sign up for prokettlebell.com emails and jump when they start selling their custom design, and I finally see options back on Amazon too. Start with 4kg and 6kg. You can do the workout with one bell, or two.
posted by esoterrica at 1:11 PM on August 4, 2020
I did something horrible to my knee, but I had been about to start the Linda Sansone walking videos (yep, home walking) after a bunch of recommendations here and from friends elsewhere. She's got some core workouts, and lifting and resistance band workouts as well, which might be worth considering as easily-storable useful equipment.
The Fitness Marshall always has at least one larger dancer and does modifications for multiple ability levels.
posted by Lyn Never at 2:40 PM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
The Fitness Marshall always has at least one larger dancer and does modifications for multiple ability levels.
posted by Lyn Never at 2:40 PM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
Fitness Blender is run by a husband and wife team who alternately or both feature in their videos. Over 600 free videos so far in quite a variety of styles (cardio, weights, etc.). Website has amazing search filters so you can search for low or no equipment (which is most of their videos, really.), intensity, style, and whether you want a female or male instructor (or both), and so on. I find them less gimmicky than a lot of other fitness instructors online. Their videos have no music as a bonus so you can play your own in the background if you're in the mood.
posted by mochi_cat at 9:20 PM on August 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by mochi_cat at 9:20 PM on August 4, 2020 [2 favorites]
HASfit! It is exactly what you’re looking for. Husband and wife team who do the exercises together; she demonstrates the easier modifications. They have workouts for all fitness levels, including specific ones for seniors, those who are obese or have limited mobility. Almost all workouts include a warmup and cooldown with mobility work. Definitely check them out!
posted by yawper at 6:00 AM on August 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by yawper at 6:00 AM on August 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
Adding to the chorus about Body Project, we have been following their videos from beginner to intermediate workout through the lockdown period. We really hone in on one or two of their YT videos and work out every other day or so. Working out to the same videos made it that much easier to make a habit out of it.
posted by ssri at 8:17 AM on August 5, 2020
posted by ssri at 8:17 AM on August 5, 2020
My wife and i do beachbody on demand videos from home as our main source of exercise. We've done this for the past few years and really like it. There are many programs - some with body weights, some with dumbells, some just cardio, some with weights, some with both, some advanced, and some beginner. Of course, you can always modify the advanced programs to make them easier when starting out too.
It's really quite affordable - $100/year. And i guess they do sign you up for a coach and try to sell shakes and similar but we've always just ignored that and watch the exercise videos.
posted by escher at 10:34 AM on August 5, 2020
It's really quite affordable - $100/year. And i guess they do sign you up for a coach and try to sell shakes and similar but we've always just ignored that and watch the exercise videos.
posted by escher at 10:34 AM on August 5, 2020
We really got into PE with Joe. Its no longer live, but you can find all the videos online along with his other ones. PE with Joe was specifically for children and their parents in the UK during lockdown, so was meant to be fun, non-intimidating, zero-equipment exercise for beginners, that you could do in a small space.
The major plus is, Joe Wicks is a total sweetheart. He's just so nice. So despite being very fit, he is not at all intimidating or shaming, making it really good for people who otherwise hate the idea of having to do exercise.
posted by EllaEm at 1:54 PM on August 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
The major plus is, Joe Wicks is a total sweetheart. He's just so nice. So despite being very fit, he is not at all intimidating or shaming, making it really good for people who otherwise hate the idea of having to do exercise.
posted by EllaEm at 1:54 PM on August 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
I am also a huge PE with Joe fan. I used it to get exercising daily after 2 years of not doings so (and having a 1.5 year old to look after).
The only caveat is that, turns out, children have a lot of energy so sometimes exercises for children will wipe your out. I always just do an easier version of whatever exercise if I feel like it (like, jumping jacks instead of burpees).
With this minor adjustment, I feel the best I have in years using this programme. And yes, he is totally good natured and sweet. Think dorky geography questions and Halloween costumes on Fridays. Highly recommended!
posted by Concordia at 12:36 PM on August 6, 2020
The only caveat is that, turns out, children have a lot of energy so sometimes exercises for children will wipe your out. I always just do an easier version of whatever exercise if I feel like it (like, jumping jacks instead of burpees).
With this minor adjustment, I feel the best I have in years using this programme. And yes, he is totally good natured and sweet. Think dorky geography questions and Halloween costumes on Fridays. Highly recommended!
posted by Concordia at 12:36 PM on August 6, 2020
« Older Mapping out stuff on walls and ceilings | Google Play Music is shutting down, where do I go... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fight or flight at 10:17 AM on August 4, 2020 [1 favorite]