It’s hard for even dedicated fitness enthusiasts to maintain their workout momentum in the heat of summer, when gyms offer a lighter schedule and just getting to the building from the car feels like an effort. And with the high cost of memberships, the prospects of getting and keeping fit can seem even more daunting. So issue yourself a challenge: go online instead, where there are more and cheaper options than ever for staying fit at home, with very little equipment needed. Here are eight to get you started.
1. YogaGlo
If I could, I would sign up everyone I know up to this virtual Los Angeles-based site. Not only does YogaGlo boast classes by some of my favourite American rock-star teachers – Elena Brower, Yoga Medicine founder Tiffany Cruikshank and Kathryn Budig – I'm always finding new ones I like. At US$18 (Dh66) per month, it is still less than the average cost of one yoga class in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I can and do access the site on my laptop, iPad and phone. In addition to a variety of yoga sessions lasting from five to 90 minutes – in all styles including ashtanga, kundalini, hatha, vinyasa and Iyengar – the site also offers instruction on different meditation methods, philosophy lectures and a variety of instructional videos. Although I like the more vigorous classes, when it comes time to relax, I'm extremely partial to Felicia Tomasko's yin and restorative classes. www.yogaglo.com
2. ChaiseFitness
The New York City mother-daughter duo of Lauren and Rachel Piskin – both elite ballet dancers – developed their ReinventYou series together. They offer a serious strength workout – with a cardio version, for good measure – in totally doable times of 18 to 21 minutes. The only equipment they use are resistance bands, which are cheap and easy to find at local sports stores. I tried ReinventYouARMS+ABS and loved it. Each video costs between $8.95 and $22.95 through Vimeo On Demand (the site will take you there) and streams for four weeks. ChaiseFitness.com
3. Barre3
This is a seriously challenging workout and your body will respond immediately if you do the sessions regularly – I promise. You'll also become familiar with the barre-style shake and wobble, a by-product of this particular workout, which is inspired by ballet, Pilates and yoga. Barre3 lengthens and tones muscles, raises the heart rate and builds strength. If you don't feel like subscribing, download the app for a free series of 10-minute workouts on your phone. Or, pay $15 per month to stream a library of 250 videos on all devices. Two higher tiers, for $25 and $59, offer extras such as new weekly workouts, coaching and meal plans. Barre3.com
4. Blogilates
I am obsessed with Cassey Ho, an American biology graduate turned YouTube star. She is crazy perky, relentlessly cheerful and puts together killer Pilates, strength and cardio workouts. Use her app on your smartphone or online; there are so many sessions available for free that it will take you some time to work your way through them all. She makes new ones available, but you can also access others in-app for just 99 cents, which is then billed via iTunes. For a subscription of 99 cents, Ho offers a monthly workout calendar her devotees swear by. (I've never been brave enough to try it, but I have seen major results just by running and doing her 10-minute videos four times a week). And don't be fooled by the fact that most of her workouts are under 20 minutes – many of them are in fact only six, eight or 10 minutes. Those reps will get you. www.blogilates.com
5. YouTube
One morning last year, I overslept for my cardio boxing class and, instead of being grumpy about it, I went to YouTube and fired off a very challenging 45-minute workout via the Tae Bo inventor Billy Blanks. I was sweating, happy and tired at the end of it, and best of all, that old-school workout was entirely free. Don’t overlook the obvious: literally an endless supply of home workouts, of all kinds, lengths of time and, as is the case with the 90s sensation Blanks, eras. All available for free. It just takes a little searching to find what you want.
6. Grokker
This is a good, solid choice for men and women, and costs just $9.99 per month. I am partial to the 30-minute HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts, but there are also lots of cardio, strength, toning, weights, yoga and Pilates options – even guided meditations, as well as recipes and articles on health and nutrition. My only beef is that some of the instructors have a slightly flat delivery. Grokker.com
7. Tracy Anderson Method
Tracy Anderson streams one class per week from the United States via her website, which you are meant to do all seven days. It starts from $90 per month, which is way cheaper than most gym memberships in the UAE. And you just have to look at Anderson's celebrity clients, including her business partner Gwyneth Paltrow, and the many devotees who do her workouts online and on social media (#TAmily) to see that her method of continuously targeting and challenging small-muscle groups with daily, hour-long workouts is a winner. If you want to sidle up to her workouts – and you might, as not only are they challenging but also the choreography is hard to master – check out what is available on YouTube. TracyAnderson.com
8. Pure Yoga online
Full disclosure: this is run by two friends of mine, Amber Stratton and Jen Dalgliesh. They operate Pure Yoga at two studios in Canada's capital, Ottawa, and I recommend them for several reasons. Since moving overseas eight years ago, I have done yoga in whatever city I could while travelling – and these ladies have created the best space and most pleasing mix of classes I've experienced. Their teacher roster is stellar and the price is great: $99 Canadian dollars (Dh287), payable via PayPal, for an entire year's worth of yoga. And since Pure Yoga specialises in heated yoga, if you have an outdoor space, the summer is the perfect time to try out the workouts. Get ready to breathe, stretch, tone and whittle. www.pureyogaottawa.com
