Grit & Grace Studio Staff Picks: Best Online Workout Videos
Wellness is on our minds more than ever these days, as we struggle to find our footing amidst the coronavirus crisis. We are all adapting to this strange new normal with both grit and grace, finding silver linings by embracing cute, fun face masks as fashion’s newest (and most safety-conscious) accessory, lifting up our Charleston community heroes, and investing in our physical health and fitness in new ways.
Maintaining your fitness can be a challenge when your favorite workout class is still on hold, or you’re just not ready psychologically to return to the gym, and we are here to help!
Our team at Grit & Grace Studio has been crunching, stretching, and dancing our way to wellness while waiting for life to return to normal, and we’ve compiled a treasure trove of online workouts to keep you fit (and sane) and even make you smile… but you should probably start by watching this adorable gym dance video.
Bailey’s Favorite Online Workout Videos
The Fitness Marshall: Dance Workouts
Working out is good for the heart, but we at Grit & Grace know laughter is good for the soul, which is why Caleb Marshall’s dance workouts are going to be your new go-to. The Fitness Marshall is the sauciest, funniest, best workout buddy you didn’t know you needed.
Expect short, high-energy dance workouts guided by Caleb and his fab back up dancers to your favorite uptempo pop hits, but Caleb’s commentary and facial expressions are what will keep you coming back for more. Once you’ve survived a couple of these high-octane routines, you’re going to forget how to do cardio WITHOUT an epic hair flip. Bailey’s been rocking out to Caleb Marshall’s “Truth Hurts” video, and nothing gets your day off on the right foot like shaking it to some Lizzo.
Blogilates: Glute & Ab Challenge
Looking for a short and sweet targeted workout? Check out Bailey’s favorite Blogilates series: Day 1 of The 100 Ab Challenge and Day 1 of The 100 Glute Challenge. Each routine is less than 10 minutes (who doesn’t love a workout you can finish before your pizza comes out of the oven?!), and will absolutely leave you feelin’ the burn. These are great guided exercise classes for those who might like a little extra help with their form.
If you’re feeling extra ambitious, Bailey also loves Rebecca Louise’s Booty Challenge. Add that on to one of the Blogilates workouts or enjoy this super challenging workout on its own. Rebecca Louise’s upbeat personality will keep you motivated and on track through to the very end.
Locksley’s Best YouTube Workout Videos
Pamela Rief: 10-20 Minute Videos
You’ve got the grit to get through Pamela Rief’s workouts, we promise! Grit & Grace Studio’s resident mermaid Locksley swears by these intense workouts, which range in focus from 10 Minute Toned Arms (all you need is are two water bottles for this one!) to a surprisingly tough 15 Minute Cardio Dance Workout.
Locksley’s been into the 20 Minute Full Body Workout: Intense Version / No Equipment video, and she jokes, “I do the full-body 20-minute workout, and then I have to lay on the ground for about the same amount of time afterward!”
Yoloha Charleston Yoga and Workout Classes: Approximately 1 Hour
If you’re in the mood for a longer, more comprehensive, and continuous workout, Locksley loves Yoloha Yoga. This local Charleston studio has some killer online full-body workout classes that range from 45 minutes to a full hour as well as full-length one-hour yoga classes, for both your body and mind. Harness your energy, focus your intentions, and repeat your mantra before going about your day. Remind yourself of the fruits of your labor with our Mantra bracelet or The Mala Necklace.
Gail’s Favorite Beach Body YouTube Workout Videos
Alexis Ren: 10 Minute Beach Butt and 10 Minute Abs
We’ve been missing the surf and sand here at Grit & Grace Studio, and the calming ocean background of Alexis Ren’s excruciating 10 Minute Beach Butt workout will almost make you forget about your burning gluteus maximus. Follow it up with her equally challenging 10 Minute Abs video, if you dare! Our beloved shop maven, Gail, vouches for these short, sweet, and super effective videos that you can do right in your living room. Watch the waves and enjoy the calming but energizing music, there’s no shouting or coaching in these workouts. You’ll be confident and bikini-ready in no time!
Reese’s Picks for Best Online Yoga-Based Workout Videos
Julia Marie Yoga: Power Yoga HIIT Fusion
If you like a side of heart-pounding cardio with your yoga practice, you’re going to be watching Julia Marie’s Power Yoga HIIT Fusion and Power Yoga HIIT Workout on repeat. Downward dog meets burpees in this yoga-based take on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that is gentle on the joints but geared for cardio-based weight loss. Julia coaches you and cheers you on every step of the way, keeping you from quitting even while you gasp for air during those yogi bicycles. If burpees are your kryptonite, hit the mat to her Total Body Cardio Burn. Most of the Julia Marie Yoga videos are 20 to 30 minutes long, capitalizing on full-body movement and time efficiency.
Grace’s Pick for Best Online Yoga Classes
Yoga with Adriene
We all agree with Grace, Yoga with Adriene is awesome, and her videos are favorites among the Grit & Grace studio gals. Adriene’s YouTube channel boasts a whopping 553 uploads. Looking for a 45 Minute Power Yoga Video or a 30-Day Yoga Journey? Adriene’s got you covered. There’s also yoga for just about every niche practice, like Yoga for Equestrians and even Yoga for Zombies (we’re not kidding). You’re sure to fall in love with her soothing presence and cute dog, and we doubt you’ll ever run out of new material to keep your practice fresh and engaging.
Rachel’s Picks for Best Vintage Workout Videos
Jane Fonda: Lean Routine
Laughter is a daily part of our workflow at Grit & Grace Studio, so naturally, we wanted to spice up your fitness routine with a couple of retro videos and some giggles (they count as ab work, trust us). Pull up those leg warmers and dig out the brightest leotard you can find, you’ll feel like one of Jane Fonda’s hype girls in no time. While the video quality might be dated, Jane Fonda’s Lean Routine workout is legit! Try it with your roommate or a friend on Zoom; you’ll find yourself chuckling your way through the class.
Whatever your exercise of choice, remember that self-care means so much more than working out, and it’s essential to your health.
Make sure you take some time for yourself amid the day’s seemingly endless tasks, even if you’re only able to spare ten minutes a day. Journalling can be a fantastic therapeutic release, and we all use our Sugarboo journals almost daily here at Grit & Grace Studio.
Mediation is another of our favorite ways to practice self-care and wellness beyond our workout videos, so remember to quiet your mind and focus your vision. We love to carve out an intentional space for our practice, even if it’s in the living room, by lighting an oyster shell candle and spritzing Los Poblanos Lavender Mist as a treat for the senses.
One Love & Blessings,