Excellent news: Most college campuses offer free memberships to the school’s gym while you’re a student there! (In fact, there’s often an “activities fee” rolled into the cost of each credit hour to cover this.)
Not-so-excellent news: Many days, it may be hard to convince your body to wake up early, change, hit the gym, and pad in enough time to shower, change and lug your gear to class.
We get it. Just because it’s there and available doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use it. If you’re short on time, there’s a free alternative, and it’s pretty hard to resist (no matter how lazy you think you are): YouTube workouts. Plenty of trainers are now offering tutorials, week- and monthlong challenges and stretching/training/toning videos you can tackle in the comfort of your own living room — leotards and leg warmers optional.
These aren’t your mother’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies VHS routines. They’re modern, they feature the latest techniques, and in many cases, they’re less than 25 minutes each (many just 10 to 15!). Oh, and none require fancy at-home gym equipment or pricey workout gear. After testing a bunch, here are our favorites:
Erin Motz’s 10-Day Ab Challenge
Whether it’s her 30-Day yoga series or her latest, the ab challenge, Erin’s workouts are always approachable. They push you, albeit gently, so even the most out-of-shape newbie can feel at ease and excited to take on the next day’s workout. We like doing 2-3 at a time for a full, half-hour exercise (typically, a flow yoga or some good stretching with one ab workout — you don’t want to go too crazy on your abs).
Exercises to Try First: Day 1 of the Ab Challenge, Holiday Flow Yoga, Full-Body Yoga (in less than 15 minutes!)
Equipment needed: Yoga mat
Anything from the Tone It Up Girls
If these trainers’ ridiculous bodies weren’t enough to make you want to try their workout plans, their #TIUTeam will: It’s a social community that motivates each other through every workout and challenge. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that many of their routines take place right on the beach, so every time you want to smack the laptop shut at the thought of ANOTHER (surprise!) set of lunges, you can stare out into those crystal blue waters and imagine you’re in Cali or Maui. Not so bad.
Exercises to Try First: The Toned & Lean Beach Routine (it’s waist-cinching), HIIT High-Intensity Interval Training, Love Your Body with Yoga
See all of the videos on the duo’s YouTube Channel.
Equipment needed: Yoga mat, hand weights (depending on video)
Tracy Anderson’s 15-Minute Workout
You know her as the force behind Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Shakira’s bods, and last year, she designed a quickie workout just for Goop readers. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a subscriber — or a hardcore gym rat — to try it out. You may have to pause the video a few times to get in the whole workout (Tracy moves at warp speed!), but your arms will feel the burn afterward.
When searching for videos, look for reputable sources — videos from certified trainers or sources you know and trust, like a major health center or fitness magazine. (You don’t want to risk a routine from someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, and what moves could injure you.)
Get the workout here.
Equipment needed: Yoga mat, hand weights (1-3 pounds)
That’s a nice selection of exercises, and trainer – youtubers, too.
I’ve never really seriously considered this workout option, but I see that I can surely save me some time, energy and also money – since my campus gym is always too crowded and I would have to lose even more time (and motivation) if I were to use that one.
Thanks for the ideas, I will browse youtube and make my selection of workouts into a playlist.
Have a great day!
Love the playlist idea, Tamara! Let us know if you come across any other great YouTube workouts. I’ve heard great things about Manny Pacquiao’s ab workout and the Victoria’s Secret series. -Candace