During COVID we all discovered the benefits of a great virtual workout. Now that we’re back to (mostly) normal, many of us have realised that good online workouts can be more efficient, and cheaper, than gym memberships. Whether you’re isolating pre-vacation, trying to save money, uncomfortable about heading back to the gym or want the convenience of a workout in your living room, there are plenty of great virtual options to try.
From Pilates to Barre and HIIT, there is literally something for every exercise taste. Below, we’ve curated a handful of virtual workouts you can participate in – along with some free online exercise classes that won’t cost a red cent.
Flow Athletic
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Founded by Ben Lucas and Kate Kendall, Flow Athletic is a luxury studio located in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. For those who can’t physically get to the studio, the team has launched Flow Athletic On Demand, which allows you to access 75 Live Stream classes per week. These sessions include strength, Pilates, yoga, spin, mobility and kids classes, so you can pick your preferred form of movement. Memberships start at $49.95 per week.
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Good Times Pilates
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Want to support a small business based in Melbourne? Good Times Pilates is an inclusive and conscious studio based in Fitzroy, Melbourne that welcomes all people regardless of their age, level of fitness or experience. You can now workout with the team at Good Times Pilates via virtual classes.
Classes range from 10 to 60 minutes and cater for all levels of experience and ability. A virtual monthly membership costs $39 or you can purchase a six-month membership for $189. Either way, you’ll also receive your first seven days free.
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Bodies By Rachel
The Bodies by Rachel app allows you to access a range of workouts whenever suits you. You can choose workouts tailored for at home or at the gym, while also accessing an accomplishment and gratitude journal and a sleep and water intake tracker via the app, so you can work on your health holistically.
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Sydney Dance Company
Dance your worries away with the help of Sydney Dance Company. The team behind Sydney Dance Company are offering online classes including hip-hop, jazz and ballet for beginners and more advanced dancers. The classes cater for kids 8-15 years old and adults from 16+.
You can take part in unlimited classes for $28 a week.
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Queensland Ballet
For those interested in ballet, Queensland Ballet is currently running dance classes so you can practice ballet techniques from the comfort of your own home. Classes include beginners, intermediate and even seniors beginner levels in ballet, barre and Pilates.
Classes cost $10 a pop, while an unlimited weekly pass is $25.
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Groove Therapy
Groove Therapy offers dance classes “for people who think they can’t dance.” Based in Sydney, pre-coronavirus classes took place in the studio which has no mirrors and dim lights.
The team at Groove Therapy have moved classes onto Zoom, offering at least one class every night. The ‘Sweats in Sweats’ class will teach you “the fundamentals of how to groove and coasting through a quick juicy stretch before sinking your teeth into a fun mini-choreography.”
While the ‘Mission Stiletto’ class will teach you “the fundamentals on how to hold your body, walk in heels and explore your femininity through dance. Stilettos are optional – feel free to rock class in your bare feet if you’d prefer.”
Classes are $8 each and the profits go to the teachers. Otherwise, you can opt for the pre-recorded dance course offered by Groove Therapy, which starts at $99 USD.
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Sydney Yoga Collective
Yoga studio Sydney Yoga Collective is currently offering all of its classes on-demand and for $50, you can live stream five classes. So, if you’re after a yoga fix, this is the place to get it.
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The Upbeat
Rated in the top 10 online classes in the world, The Upbeat offers dance cardio classes that you can live stream or watch on-demand, depending on your schedule. Online memberships start at $4.99 a week, or if you’d rather virtually workout in real-time, your first seven days of live-streamed classes will cost $10.
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The Australian Ballet
After offering free online classes in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Australian Ballet has shifted its online offering to paid classes for adults.
According to The Australian Ballet, the ‘At Home With Studios‘ “gives you the opportunity to learn ballet – wherever you are. Everyone is welcome, so no matter if you have two left feet or feel at home at the barre, we’ll have you on your way to performing the perfect pirouette in no time.”
New classes are released every Tuesday at 4 pm and once purchased, you’re able to access the class as many times as you want over the next seven days. Classes cost $25 each. There are three class levels available — beginner (to learn ballet basics), intermediate (with a focus on technique) and advanced (develop the musicality of your centre work).
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Orange Theory
Fitness company Orange Theory is offering free online workouts every day. There is a new sweat sesh uploaded on the website every day and each workout takes roughly 40 minutes.
You don’t need any complicated equipment to get the full benefit of the workouts — something as simple as a chair, yoga mat and wine bottles or cans (to use as weights) is all you’ll usually need.
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Fluidform Pilates
Fluidform At Home allows you to access hundreds of Pilates workouts created by Fluidform Pilates founder Kirsten King from the comfort of your home. With prices starting at $35 a month, you’ll be sent a free equipment pack with free shipping that includes sliders, a ball and bands to maximise your workouts.
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28 by Sam Wood
Sam Wood, founder of the health and fitness program 28 by Sam Wood, is offering free daily workouts that can be streamed via the 28 by Sam Wood Facebook page.
The workouts are live streamed from Monday to Friday and start at 9 am. Each class runs for roughly 28 minutes. The workout can be done anywhere at home and it’s also kid-friendly, so you can get your little ones involved too.
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Sutherland Physiotherapy and Pilates
The practice is currently offering online classes that are run by a physiotherapist. The practice is conscious to cater to all fitness levels, and in their online workouts, they are providing different adaptations on each exercise to cater to every individual.
“We know how much people are missing their regular exercise routines, and with our online classes, we’re aiming to provide a platform for people to exercise comfortably and safely in their own homes,” said practice principal, Jessie Miladinski.
“Currently, our physiotherapists are running fitness/Pilates classes for free on our Facebook page.
“We value the importance of movement, and right now, when everyone’s spending more static time at home, our classes are being designed to increase range of movement and improve posture and alignment.”
To find out when the next sessions are, visit Sutherland Physiotherapy and Pilates on Facebook.
Retrosweat
Created by Shannon Dooley, Retrosweat is an 80s-inspired workout class that makes exercise seriously fun. Think of the workout content created by Jane Fonda and Paula Abdul in the 80s and that’s the same wavelength as Retrosweat.
Dooley is currently offering online Retrosweat workouts, called VHS Workout Club. To join in the retro fun, head online to MINDBODY where all of the classes can be booked and paid for.
Athletica Pilates
Sydney-based studio Athletica Pilates is now offering virtual classes called A/P Live. The exercises are mat-based and run for 55 minutes. A casual class pass will cost you $45, while a five-pack of classes is $210.
Head to the Athletica Pilates website if you’re interested in joining the team on the mat virtually.
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Free Online Exercises Classes:
If you prefer your online exercise classes free, these are your best options.
Life Hub
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Melbourne-based fitness studio Life Hub is offering free virtual workouts six days a week via the Life Hub Instagram page. All fitness levels are encouraged to join the team in these complimentary training sessions, especially those in Victoria who aren’t currently able to go to the gym.
From full-body to upper body and lower body workouts, there’s something for everyone!
“Whether it be they’ve lost their job, are missing regular human interaction or perhaps going to the gym was used as a stress reliever, we’re here to create a sense of community where everyone can stay fit, healthy and positive,” said Life Hub owner and head coach, Chris Cannon.
Fiton
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Fiton is a free fitness app where you can access pilates, HIIT, yoga, strength and cardio workouts, along with meditation classes, all delivered by celebrity trainers. Celebrities like Julianne Hough, Jonathan VanNess and Gabrielle Union are fans – so you’ll be in good company.
Boho Beautiful Yoga
Like a little AMSR? Then Boho Beautiful is the free workout for you.
Your first impression of Boho Beautiful’s channel may be that Juliana Spicoluk is a little woo-woo. But Juliana is delivering some of the best online yoga classes on the internet. Her precise instructions mean you’ll never pull a muscle trying to catch what she’s doing, (a major drawback of online yoga). She has hundreds of classes ranging from intermediate vinyasa flows, to deep stretch routines and intensely relaxing meditation sessions. Boho Beautiful is also a travel channel, and each class takes place in far-flung regions of the world (indeed, an elephant walks through one vinyasa flow).
Once you try it, you’ll be glad it’s free, because her workouts are seriously addictive.
Popsugar Fitness
More free workouts we have Youtube to thank for! POPSUGAR Fitness offers HIIT, Cardio, yoga, and dance workouts with a breaking news flavour. Curated by a media company, POPSUGAR Fitness covers new, trending workouts, with frequent celebrity personal trainer cameos.