How to choose the right online workout for you
Whether you want to bliss out with a full-body stretch or take it to the max with a HIIT session, these tips will make it easier for you to find the right routine.
Online workouts make it super simple to get the benefits of top trainers and group classes at home. And with WW, you can’t beat the variety: just open up your WW app and you’ll find guided workout videos plus fun ways to move in our Healthy Body Healthy Mind Connect group.
With so many options, you might worry that you'll run out of steam just searching for a suitable routine. So how do you find the right session for you? Here's your 3-step action plan:
Step 1: Consider how much time you have
Back-to-back Zooms? You can still squeeze in activity with an online workout that lasts as little as five minutes. “Do what you can when you can,” says Chris Gagliardi, a certified personal trainer and the scientific education content manager at the American Council on Exercise. “Bouts of activity of anyduration have health benefits.”
Cranking out a couple short sessions throughout the day may be as effective for boosting your heart health and fitness level as sweating through one longer session, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Every bit of activity will help you reach the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
Step 2: Identify your workout goal
If you want to focus on sculpting muscle, consider strength training or Pilates. Going for maximum burn? Look for cardio or HIIT (high-intensity interval training). For a gentler approach, select yoga or stretching. Every kind of activity counts as exercise, so go ahead and choose something you're excited about doing. “The most beneficial type of workout is the one you enjoy,” Gagliardi says.
While sticking with one type of activity can help you build a routine, home sessions may help you discover something new you like. “For some people, the thought of attending an in-person group class may be intimidating, but with online workouts, there’s some comfort in the privacy,” Gagliardi says. “You can experiment with many options.”
Step 3: Check the intensity
If you haven’t exercised in a while a high-intensity kickboxing workout is not the place to start - it can be challenging to keep up and may leave you feeling frustrated. “Ask yourself, ‘Is [this workout] appropriate for me now?’” Gagliardi says. “If you’re new to working out, start with a format that will allow you to be successful so you can build on that success as you move forward.”