Workout In: the workout that comes to you

A few months ago, when I’d only recently started this blog, I shared a few of my favourite YouTube workouts with you. I’m a big believer in putting your workouts into context with the rest of your commitments and hobbies. If your diary allows only a short time for exercise and you don’t want to fill half that time travelling, there is no reason you can’t get just as good a workout in the comfort of your own home as in a gym or class. You just need the motivation and know-how to push yourself to the same intensity. And I’ve already tackled the problems of limited space and disturbing your neighbours with my soundless circuits, so no excuses!

But for those of you who want the extra pressure of a PT or instructor spurring you on, there’s a new ‘mobile fitness class’ website that offers an ideal compromise. Choosing from a range of daily classes, you can sign up for a 25 minute cardio, conditioning or flexibility based session over video chat. There are also private 1-2-1 sessions available if you want a truly bespoke workout. 5 minute warm-ups and cool-downs have been pre-filmed so you can prepare for the class and stretch out afterwards in your own time.

My first Workout In class

When I first heard of the concept, I was a little sceptical the process would be as seamless as suggested. I had visions of my many failed attempts to connect over Skype with my mum in Canada, starting at a frozen screen and straining to hear over the static on the line. I also felt a bit unnerved by the idea of working out on camera with an instructor I’ve never met – knowing this is entirely irrational since I meet and work out in person with new trainers all the time. But I put my reservations aside and signed up for a ‘Beginner’s Insanity’ class early one morning before work.

At 7.05am I logged in and waited for my instructor, Paul Cambray, to arrive on screen. At 7.10am, right on schedule, there he was. Paul looked completely professional in branded Workout In kit with a clean, dedicated studio as a backdrop. As I was the only person ‘insane’ enough to sign up for a 7am workout, he asked me a few questions about my fitness level and tailored the class to my abilities. He demonstrated the moves and checked in on me regularly to comment on my technique and motivate me to work just a little bit harder during the interval segments. It was certainly tougher than if I’d been training on my own (let’s be honest, there’s a good chance I’d still have been in bed if I didn’t have the appointment to stick to).

It’s pure Insanity

Insanity is based on ‘blocks’ of four exercises that you perform in quick succession before taking a short rest and repeating them. It’s full-body, uses only your own weight for resistance, and gets your heart rate up – fast. Any pre-workout nerves were quickly dismissed when, after 5 minutes, I was so breathless I could concentrate on nothing more than completing my sets. In fact, I loved the efficiency of the workout so much I asked Paul for a quick interview after the class. He kindly offered a bit of background about Insanity and why it’s his exercise class of choice:

“I was initially drawn to Insanity for my own training, because it was the perfect prescription to help me burn excess body fat while maintaining lean muscle. Insanity uses what we call MAX Interval Training, which replaces extended moderate intensity exercise with short, sharp periods of intense effort followed by rest. This forces your body to use fast twitch muscle fibres – something you don’t normally engage during cardio. Not only will you see faster increases in fitness, but you’ll also minimise any muscle loss because you’re not exercising long enough for your body to break down any muscle mass for fuel.”

Diversify your training

But there’s more to Workout In than Insanity. Scroll through the weekly schedule and you’ll find Bootcamp, Legs Bums & Tums, Core Work, Zumba, HIIT, even a workout dedicated to carving out all those places you want to show off in a Little Black Dress. With the exception of equipment-intensive workouts (think Spin, Body Pump or TRX), you’ll be able to find all the classes you would typically enjoy with a gym membership.

“In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not always possible for people to find the time to get to the gym. Or to justify paying for a gym membership, let alone having the luxury of a personal trainer for a 1-2-1 session. Workout In is a more convenient and affordable opportunity to train closely with experts.”

As a regular YouTube yogi, I ask Paul why he thinks Workout In has the edge over the the world’s most popular video sharing site…

“The biggest problem with YouTube (and DVD workouts) is that you can only maximise the efficiency of your training by performing exercises with the correct form and technique. Plus, you can’t underestimate the motivation factor from having a trainer watching over to ensure you complete the workout and push yourself to the best of your capabilities. Even group classes take a maximum of 5 people, so I can give plenty of dedicated support and feedback to everyone involved.”

Get started

I’m convinced. What about you? Getting started is simple and your first class is free, so I definitely recommend you give it a go when you’re pressed for time or want to try something different. To help you decide on the best class or classes for you, sign up at workoutin.com and complete the introductory questionnaire for a list of options tailored to your goals. It’s also worth completing one or more Fit Tests to help you track your progress over time.

Once you’ve signed up for your first class, you’ll receive step by step instructions for how to log in before your workout. And if you want to continue your training with Workout In after your first class, you can join classes for as little as £6 or receive bespoke 1-2-1 training with a PT of your choice from £15.

As always, I’d love to hear how you get on with Workout In. And if you have any other home workout experiences of your own, please share them with me on Facebook, Twitter or by commenting below!