Article updated on September 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM PDT
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Hedy Phillips CNET Contributor
Hedy Phillips is a freelance lifestyle writer based in New York. While she's not writing on topics like living on a budget and tips for city dwelling, she can usually be found at a concert or sightseeing in a new city. Over the past 10 years, her bylines have appeared in a number of publications, including POPSUGAR, Hunker, and more.
Working from home is the new norm, at least for some, and that's just another reason for working out from home. Getting in workout hours can be challenging, especially if you can't make that commute to the gym. However, thanks to the advancements in technology, access to online fitness classes gives you the convenience of exercising in the comfort of your own space. More and more people are choosing to forego gym memberships and invest in home exercise equipment.
All of that equipment is really no good without a trainer or some sort of guided program. Enter YouTube -- it's a great (and nearly endless) resource for workout videos. How do you identify the best YouTube workout channels? To save you the trouble, we did all the work. We've compiled some of the best YouTube workout channels with the best free workout videos you can find on the internet.
Whether you're a beginner or a fitness enthusiast, working out at home offers a variety of benefits, and along with those come the challenges. These YouTube channels will help you get the most out of your home workouts without feeling like you're being tested or judged in front of other people.
We've also labeled these best YouTube workout videos by workout type to make it even easier for you to jump-start your fitness routine. Scroll through to check out all of them.
PS Fit (formerly Popsugar Fitness) has a little bit of everything. On this YouTube channel, run by Popsugar (or PS now, with the rebrand), you'll find cardio, weight training, dance, barre, HIIT and everything in between. The classes come in different lengths, so you can pick what works best for the amount of time you have for your at-home workout. There are also plenty of difficulty levels to choose from, so if you want to try yoga and have never done it before, you can pick a beginner's yoga class and work your way up until you're a pro. There are hundreds of workouts to choose from, and you can sort by the workout you want or the instructor you want. You can even take on a curated challenge, like the 5-Day Full-Body Blast.
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Personal trainer Heather Robertson offers a wide variety of HIIT workouts on her channel to get you moving. She specializes in workouts that require no equipment and can be done in any length of time you have. Ranging from 10 minutes up, the workouts are designed for a variety of skill levels and muscle groups. She's also designed several series and calendars to help you stick to a schedule of working out your muscle groups equally and efficiently.
Juice and Toya have everything you need to do your own weight training at home. On this channel, you'll find playlists by muscle group and equipment, so you can specifically pick a workout series using the weights you have on hand. Largely ranging from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, these workout videos are easy to follow for a variety of skill levels. They also show modifications if you need to go easier in any section of the workout.
Sydney Cummings Houdyshell is a bit of a legend in the fitness YouTube space. Her videos cover a ton of different exercises that focus on working out every muscle group in your body, but we would recommend her, especially for dumbbell workouts. Sydney is a former Track & Field high jump athlete, but her workouts are holistic, and the channel has a ton of videos involving dumbbells, ranging from your standard usage, to some innovative ways to incorporate dumbbells into your workout routine. She also posts new workouts regularly, which means that even if you don't find enough workouts to match your style from her 2,000+ videos, you're likely to find one in the newer uploads.
The Fitness Marshall's dance workouts are more than just shaking your booty. These full-body workouts are designed to get your heart rate up and work all your muscles at the same time. Set to all kinds of popular songs, these workouts are quick, so you can do one, two or 10 for a workout, depending on how long you want to sweat for. The Fitness Marshall also offers longer videos for 30- or 60-minute workouts as well.
Move with Nicole offers a ton of pilates workouts that can be done at home with just a mat. She has something for you whether you want a 20- or 60-minute workout. You can also find guided workout plans to get you through a whole month. If you've never done pilates before, don't sweat it. Nicole also offers beginner videos to help you understand the workout before diving into anything advanced.
Yoga with Adrienne welcomes practitioners of all skill levels. She's created playlists and yoga plans to align with your skill levels, goals and time. You can choose a 10-minute yoga practice, a guided meditation or a Foundations of Yoga class to teach you what the workout is all about. This is a great channel to start your day with -- a 10-minute yoga practice can help you get centered before you jump into the workday.
Pamela Reif offers a little bit of everything, especially aerobic workouts that get your heart pumping. There are plenty of quick 10-minute workouts (but you'll also find longer ones), including dancing and full-body workouts. There are playlists organized by workout type so you can go straight to what you're looking for, and Reif also hosts livestreamed workouts if you want to sweat with her in real-time.
Global Cycling Network will give you all the tools you need to be a pro cyclist. On this channel, you'll find cycling tips, gym workouts to improve your cycling, and stationary bike workouts. GCN is a well-rounded channel for cyclists that also includes entertainment -- you can watch top cyclists ride all different terrains and get inspired to get out on your bike and go for it too.
If you're looking for a workout that'll effectively get you sweating but won't be quite so hard on your body, try Body Project. On this channel, you'll find low-impact workouts that are gentle on your joints but still keep your body moving. Workouts typically run in the 25- to 30-minute range and show you how to burn fat without tearing up your joints and muscles too much.
Thenx has several workouts that target certain muscle groups and your whole body. Perfect for doing at home, these workouts start at just 5 minutes in length -- giving you no excuse to back out of trying. Chris Heria will show you how to work your muscles in the comfort of your home, using your body weight and the furniture and the floor as needed.
The Studio by Jamie Kinkeade is perfect for anyone who wants to dance. You'll find different kinds of dancing here, from barre to cardio-fueled HIIT sets to some of your favorite songs. You can find single-song workouts or full classes set to a playlist. Plus, Kinkeade offers livestreamed workouts, so you can dance with her in real-time, and on-demand workouts to save for later.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.