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Exercise

Favourite YouTube workouts?

23 replies

bluesuitcase · 07/01/2023 08:04

I used to workout regularly but I’ve taken a break over the past year and I can’t decide what to do to get back into it.

I started with Davina DVDs many years ago; I got great results from doing these consistently, but I don’t have time for all the talking/ breaks now.

I then discovered Jillian. I love Jillian, I have most of the DVDs. I enjoyed these and did one most days but I don’t think the extra intensity of things like body revolution got me any better results, and I don’t have the same energy now.

I then ran regularly for a couple of years (alongside Jillian) but this didn’t do anything for my shape, and I stopped due to worrying about damaging my knees.

What are your favourite workouts that I can find on YouTube? I’d ideally want something that lasts around 30-40 mins but I could stretch to an hour. I’m pear shape and would love to streamline my bottom half but I need toning up all over. I have various sets of weights. I’m out of the loop with what’s out there now!

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AndMiffyWentToSleep · 07/01/2023 08:10

I like Heather Robertson - she doesn’t talk so I don’t get annoyed watching the same workout over and over again.

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pharmachameleon · 07/01/2023 08:20

I've just started Caroline Girvan's workouts on YouTube and they are really, really good. Mostly weight based so will be good if you need toning up. I had previously done Les Mills classes for years and these are good too.
Groingannanas is great for HIIT workouts on YouTube.

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FlowerArranger · 07/01/2023 08:21

Yes, Heather Robertson is a good all-rounder.

Growingannanas is great for HIIT, both with or without weights.

If you want to get seriously fit, i.e. musclea and bone strength, Caroline Girvan is your woman. Requires serious commitment, but actually life-changing!

To ease yourself in, try these:

Rebecca Louise's Best Abs and Bingo Wings
Lucy Wyndham Read's Thighs & Glutes
Bowflex 3-minute plank (do this every day - a strong core really helps)

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midgetastic · 07/01/2023 08:22

Caroline would be good for weights and building leg muscle if you would like to run again

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lightinthemirrorstormyoutside · 07/01/2023 08:27

I really like Pamela Reif and Chloe Ting.

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Emmytobes · 07/01/2023 08:31

I love Lucy Wyndham-read, She's got thousands of videos for all workout levels from beginners to advanced. She also carers for everyone- low mobility, age etc
Some start from just 4 minutes!

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Worldgonecrazy · 07/01/2023 08:34

Caroline Girvan if you want to make a real long lasting difference to your health. you work out five days a week, with one active rest day and one recovery rest day. I don’t follow this strictly as I like to do two runs on the weekend so have a ret day on Thursday or Friday. I generally aim to use half of whatever weight she is using, unless she is using something very light.

she is life changing for many people. There are several Facebook support groups too.

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FlowerArranger · 07/01/2023 08:40

Good point about using half the weights that Caroline is using!

Start with her EPIC Beginners workouts and keep repeating them until you've got to grips with them. Then try either EPIC 3 or Heat.

Be sure to warm up before each workout.

And do watch and listen to her introductions!

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percypal · 07/01/2023 08:42

I love Fitness Blender

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bluesuitcase · 07/01/2023 09:33

Thank you for the replies and recommendations so far. I am slowly going through them and adding videos to a new playlist so I can try each of them out.

They all have so many videos - I used to struggle to decide between the 15+ Jillian DVDs I have! I’ve sorted the recommendations according to most popular videos and have picked a few from there to help narrow it down for now.

The Caroline Girvan EPIC (or similar - not sure on the difference yet) might be one that I start doing once I’ve got myself back into it, as it sounds great and then I don’t have to make a daily decision!

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FlowerArranger · 07/01/2023 14:05

There is a long running thread about Caroline Girvan here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/4545436-getting-fitter-and-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-all-welcome?page=9

Definitely do EPIC Beginners first 😎

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bluesuitcase · 07/01/2023 15:16

Thank you 🙂

I was on a Jillian thread previously and enjoyed that and found it motivating - I recognise a name on the Caroline Girvan thread from that!

I did a short Heather Robertson abs workout earlier and enjoyed it so will try more of hers.

I think I’m going to create a few playlists later based on length of workout to make it easier.

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bluesuitcase · 07/01/2023 15:19

And I’ll definitely do Epic beginners and see how I get on with that. I have high hopes for it!

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Squisageandmosh · 07/01/2023 15:24

Lucy Wyndham-Reed!

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FlowerArranger · 07/01/2023 15:33

Lucy is great for beginners and novices trying to get fit. Her leg workouts are particularly good, viz. her Thighs & Glutes and many other workouts. She also has a useful starting to run series.

Unfortunately she doesn't use weights. Whilst it is perfectly possible to get fit without weights, e.g. calisthenics workouts, I firmly believe that that dumbbells should be an essential component of at least some workouts - especially as we get older - in order to preserve muscle strength and bone density.

Not to mention the fact that lifting serious weights feels sooooo empowering!

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bluesuitcase · 07/01/2023 17:06

Thanks.

I don’t think I want beginner beginner level as I was pretty fit for years so don’t think it’ll take me that long to get back into it.

I do want to use my weights for some workouts for the reasons you’ve said - I’m in my 40s and want to stay strong.

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BigSkies2022 · 16/01/2023 11:56

Scottish Ballet Company - have lower body, upper body, abs and full body circuit workouts that last 30 minutes. They do burpees, mountain climbers, planks, side-planks, etc, all the things you would expect in a class to get your heartrate up. You could add weights to the routines, e.g. with the lunges. They also have some flexibility and ballet routines that you could add in for balance and alignment and to test out your newly strengthened glutes and core!

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Susanthehappytrottingelf · 16/01/2023 11:59

I like madfit - I found Caroline Girvan a bit intimidating! But you sound fitter than me so you might like it

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Slipperyslope72 · 16/01/2023 12:01

There is a website called fitness blender that has lots of options on it.

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bluesuitcase · 16/01/2023 12:09

Thank you everyone.

I did Caroline Girvan beginners epic last week and have started the iron programme this week.

I’m going to add in some of the other workouts that you’ve recommended too. The ballet sounds interesting BigSkies2022 - I fancy giving that a go!

Using YouTube is much quicker and easier than using my DVDs, I have to say!

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BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 16/01/2023 12:30

I like Lazy Dancer Tips - the workouts are HARD! So much holding muscles in position and slow movement, really different to my usual workouts.

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BigSkies2022 · 16/01/2023 16:34

Another vote for Lazy Dancer as well. Also Kathryn Morgan, if ballet takes your fancy, OP.

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bluesuitcase · 16/01/2023 16:54

Lazy dancer sounds interesting - thanks for the recommendations. That reminds me - I went through a phase of reliving my youth and did a bit of callenetics a couple of years back - holding those positions is really hard (even harder than some of the crazy modern stuff) and this sounds similar in that respect. Definitely adding it to my list to try, along with ballet (I’ll try anything!).

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