Looking for the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home but aren’t sure where to start? I’ve got you covered.
There are lots of workout videos on YouTube. But not all of them are home-friendly. Workouts with lots of equipment or lots of jumping around just aren’t great for at-home workouts.
I tried multiple workout videos on YouTube. Through this incredible sacrifice (which I should have been doing anyway), I found the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home.
This was not a scientific, controlled experiment. But I did use some criteria in determining the best of the best YouTube workouts:
- New videos: Only channels that had new videos in the last month made this “best of” list. A fresh, new workout video is a bigger motivator to get me off the sofa than repeating the same old workout video.
- Little or no equipment: If you’re like me, you don’t have a lot of equipment in your home gym. So I focused on YouTube workouts that required little or no equipment.
- Noise-friendly: Noise is often a factor to consider when working out at home. Maybe you have thin floors and a downstairs neighbor to consider. Or a sleeping family member in the next room. The workouts below are “noise-friendly” workouts that don’t require a lot of jumping or other loud noises.
Now, without further ado, the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home!
1. MadFit
Maddie Lymburner’s YouTube workout videos are the videos that finally convinced me that working out at home could be fun and effective.
What I like about MadFit workout videos:
- Challenging workout: You will sweat with these videos. And you will feel like you’re getting a great workout without leaving your living room.
- Clear directions: Maddie clearly explains every exercise move. This is helpful when you’re rolling around on the floor and can’t clearly see the video playing on the TV.
- Minimalist setting: This is not one of those over-engineered fitness videos. This is just Maddie, working out in her home. That makes the exercises feel more doable. It makes me think, “if Maddie can do it in her home, then so can you.”
2. The Fitness Marshall
Whenever I’m feeling a little lethargic at home and want to get my energy up, I turn on one of Caleb Marshall’s dance workout videos. In less than five minutes, I’m energized and feeling great.
Because these videos are fairly short dance videos, I’m not really using them for a challenging workout. These videos are more of a mental health jump-starter.
What I like about the Fitness Marshall workout videos:
- Amazing songs: Each of the videos features an upbeat song. A particular favorite of mine is Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time. Watch it. Dance to it. Love it.
- Fun personality: Caleb Marshall is so much fun. He’ll have you smiling and even laughing by the end of the song.
- Helpful descriptions: Some of the dance moves are a little complex, but Caleb describes them in a way that helps you understand exactly what you should do.
3. The Body Coach
One thing I love about Joe Wicks’ YouTube videos is that he has a variety of options for all age groups and abilities. His workout videos include physical education for kids, chair workouts for seniors, and 7-day workout challenges to build endurance.
I tried his 7-day workout challenges. These challenges are some of the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home. What I like about the Body Coach workout videos:
- A real person: During Joe’s videos, he’ll joke about writing the workout routine on a fresh diaper because he couldn’t find a piece of paper. Or kindly ask his kids to be quiet in the background. And joke about how much he’s sweating. These comments help you connect with Joe and feel motivated to listen to his instructions.
- Increasing difficulty: Over the course of seven days, the workouts increased in difficultly. That staggered approach allowed me to do exercises on day seven that I probably could not have done on day one.
- Straightforward exercises: Each of Joe’s exercises were straightforward and easy to understand. Since I understood the moves, I was able to start an exercise immediately and didn’t waste any time trying to figure out how to perform an exercise.
4. POPSUGAR Fitness
POPSUGAR Fitness has an insane number of workout videos on YouTube. If there’s an exercise routine you want to try, you’ll probably find an example of it in one of POPSUGAR Fitness’ videos.
What I like about the POPSUGAR Fitness workout videos:
- Guest hosts: I absolutely love the guest hosts on POPSUGAR Fitness. Many of the guest hosts are part of a subscription-based fitness program – like Tone It Up, Nike Training Club, and Kayla Itsines’ Sweat app. The POPSUGAR Fitness videos are like a free introduction to see if you like these workouts before committing to an app.
- Variety: As I mentioned above, there are lots of workout videos on POPSUGAR Fitness’ YouTube channel. Yoga, pilates, cardio dance, HIIT – you name it, they have it. If you’re looking to try a different type of exercise class, start with POPSUGAR Fitness.
5. Pamela Reif
For those of you who don’t like annoying, energetic fitness instructors – then Pamela Reif’s YouTube videos are for you. During most of her workout videos, Pamela doesn’t talk. At all. You are free to focus 100% on the workout routines without any chatter.
Pamela does talk during her live workouts (which you can view as recordings on her YouTube channel). So if you prefer some conversation, you can try out her live workouts. Just look for the videos with “LIVE” in the description.
What I like about the Pamela Reif’s workout videos:
- Intensity: These workout videos are crazy intense. It’s one exercise after another with very few breaks during the workout. If you want to get your heart rate up, you’ll like these workouts.
- Energetic music: I love the music in Pamela’s workouts. It’s a little bit like going to the club but you don’t have to get dressed up and no one’s bumping into you.
- No chatter: In her pre-recorded workout videos, Pamela doesn’t talk at all. This is especially good for early mornings when you’re not ready to deal with anyone – not even a YouTube workout instructor.
6. blogilates
If you’re looking to get toned, sculpted muscles, you need to try some of Cassey Ho’s YouTube videos. These are some of the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home.
What I like about blogilates workout videos:
- Deep toning: Cassey’s exercise moves get really deep into your muscles. It’s like you can feel your muscles being sculpted as you do the exercises.
- Specific directions: Cassey provides very specific tips throughout the videos so you know exactly how to get the maximum benefit from each exercise move.
- Upfront exercise list: At the beginning of every video, Cassey shares each of the exercises for the workout. It helps you get prepared for what’s coming without any surprises.
7. FitnessBlender
FitnessBlender workout videos are brought to us by wife and husband duo Kelli and Daniel Segars.
What I like about the FitnessBlender workout videos:
- Exercise previews: Right before starting a new exercise move, a little icon of Kelli or Daniel pops up in the left-hand corner of the screen and demonstrates the move. It’s a fun way to preview the exercise without stopping the flow of the video.
- Short and long workouts: Kelli and Daniel offer both shorter (10 minutes or less) and longer (up to 90 minutes) workouts. So whether you’re looking for something quick or something more involved, they have you covered.
And that concludes the best YouTube workouts to get in shape while at home! I hope you love these workout videos as much as I do. Here’s to staying happy and healthy!
Related:
Shop my at-home workout essentials
While you don’t need equipment to do most of the workout videos above, some simple items can expand your at-home workout options.
Comments or Questions?
Have a comment or a question? I’d love to hear from you! Visit me on Instagram @eastbymidwest and leave a comment or DM, or send me an email at pam@eastbymidwest.com.
