Finding yourself doing chair dips and dragging the coffee table across the room trying to find the rush of endorphins you’ve been missing from the gym? Or are you starting out, making the most of the extra time you have on your hands and getting some exercise on? There is nothing better for your sanity, and your booty, than getting some exercise in. We’ve tried a few of the “free while in isolation” apps that we’d typically have to pay for access to – and here are the ones we most enjoyed.
Regenerate with Redux
Redux has just announced access to their app will now be free for the foreseeable future – no one pays whilst in lockdown and the paywall has now been completely removed. So everyone can access anything on the app, whenever you want to – to stay fit, healthy and happy at home during these challenging times.
Redux has over 50 workouts to choose from that are meticulously designed to encourage mindful movement and proper technique. They are expertly instructed from leading UK trainer, Naz de Bono and no equipment is needed. There are classes across boxing, kick, stretch, cardio and sculpt. There is also the offer of nutritional support, lots of yummy recipes to choose from and you can connect directly with Naz and a community of like-minded people – all for free for an unlimited period. My biceps are firming up, just thinking about it.
Fitness with Sam
Sam Wood has been offering live stream workouts at 9am Monday to Friday on his Facebook page. 30 mins of very doable exercises, in a very relatable home environment – his living room is mixed with his children and their distractions.
Sam also puts together exercises using everyday household items. If you feel like getting your quads in order using the laundry basket, Sam will show you how. It’s very practical and super helpful for those of us who neglected to invest in a full gym-at-home set up before being locked inside.
Get down with yoga
The Down Dog yoga app is free until May 1. The app builds workouts based on your needs – across your level, areas you want to focus on and the amount of time you have.
There’s yoga, yoga for beginners, HIIT, barre, the 7 minute workout along with prenatal yoga to choose from.
Select your time, level, focus, voice, and music, and Down Dog creates a unique, personalised yoga practice every time. You can even adjust how long you spend in each post.
Pop some fitness with Popsugar
It’s been around for a long time and it’s always had some exercise videos to access for free on Youtube, but now the whole app is free. Popsugar fitness has a range of exercises to do at home without equipment (and some with).
Not only will you have access to workouts from celebrity trainers and experts in the categories of strength, cardio, yoga, and Pilates, but you’ll also have access to challenges such as 4-Week Full-Body Fusion, and strength and recovery classes. It can be a bit full-on American enthusiasm, but if you can handle it – some great classes to mix and match with others.
Some insights with insight timer
It’s not exercise as such, but it could well exercise for the mind? Insight Timer is a free mindful meditation app. Packed with over 50,000 free meditations to set intentions for the day, find something to be grateful for, and guidance for sleep. From guided meditations to music to meditate to, Insight Timer may be useful to you in a time when the world seems like it’s upside down and bring back order back to active-minds.
Let us know what else you find out there to mix and match your exercise routines to keep your muscles – and minds – strong.
