No gym required

A guide to working out at home

While most outdoor social activities — like heading out to the mall and meeting up with friends — have resumed, most of us continue to work from home. This means that we still spend a lot of time in our seats, and without the daily commute to and from the office, few can claim to be really active (this writer included). These days, most gyms are conducting paid classes held over video conferencing app Zoom or in classes at their studios, attended by a limited number of participants. But you do not need a fancy studio or even expensive equipment to lose those extra pounds,

This list here is not exhaustive — if you feel like these workouts have gotten you wanting more, there are many other gyms out there that offer affordable classes. Or if you prefer, there are also a multitude of fitness apps out there to help you along your fitness journey.

But if you are not looking to drop a load of cash on an expensive gym membership, try these ideas instead. They are fun, fast and — best of all —free.

For the novice

True Fitness
True Fitness, one of the more recognisable wellness brands here, have been broadcasting their workouts on social media since Singapore went into Covid-19 confinement in April. For beginners, we recommend you get back into the game with the True Fitness’s Home Invasion series, available on their Instagram page. These quick 15-minute workouts — which you can do on a mat in your living room —are categorised to focus on different parts of your body, like Legs and Core, Strength, and Functional Workout. The exercises are easy enough for a beginner to pick up, and they are a great way to ease into the start of an exercise routine.

Verdict: Pretty easy. The exercises worked up a bit of a sweat, but easy enough for any beginner to plough through and not cause any sore muscles immediately after.

For something more intense

Barry’s Singapore
The global high-intensity interval training gym has not only set up shop in Singapore, but they also released workout videos on their Instagram page featuring their home workouts series with instructors from all over the world during the “circuit breaker” period. While physical classes have resumed, their previous live streams are still active and available for playback. These high-intensity interval training (HIIT workouts) are simple to get into, as they are a mix of strength and cardio training, all by using your own body weight.

Verdict: Easy enough to follow but every workout posted on IGTV (Instagram’s video platform) is intense enough to work up a sweat. Most of the routines lasted about 20 minutes, or just about half the time to watch any episode on Netflix!

For the lapsed fitness enthusiast

Boom Singapore
For those who are really wanting to work up a sweat, Boom Singapore’s high energy workouts are just for you. Their K-pop inspired routine is a whole body workout, focusing on everything from your neck down to your legs. Most of their exercises are high-intensity interval training circuits, so these are great for those who really want to go all out on your fat burning quest. Some of the exercises in these routines will require some weights (use a plastic water bottle filled with water if you do not have any at home). The rest of their workouts on their IGTV page follow mostly the same vein of high intensity workouts set to pounding music. It is intense stuff and by the time you are halfway through, you might find yourself drenched in sweat.

Verdict: You should watch the exercise one time through, then do the actual work- out in time with them (to give yourself an idea of the type of punishment you will be putting your body through). Some high energy segments may be slightly difficult to follow if you are a workout novice. This writer, for example, could not finish the entire 40 minutes of the K-Pop inspired workout (only returning to complete the course five days later).