At the start of the pandemic—and I realize I may be alone in this—it did not seem possible that I could run out of new online workouts. Gyms began closing, as did the rest of the world, but that didn’t stop every fitness company and celebrity from debuting an intriguing new tool designed to get you sweating in the privacy of your own home.
That was more than a year ago. Just as the excitement of homemade sourdough has given way to the grind of day-in, day-out quarantine cooking, I am bored of the same six PopSugar Fitness bodyweight videos and running the same 3- to 5-mile loops in my neighborhood … an infinite loop, forever and ever, until the end of time. If you, too, are bored, I asked my colleagues for fun ways they are continuing to keep working out at home, and rounded up several of my favorite fitness apps and services.
Be sure to check out our How to Work Out From Home and How to Create a Yoga Space guides for more tips. Plus, read our buying guides to the Best Fitness Trackers, Best Running Socks, Best iPhones, and Best Running Gear for other recommendations.
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Photograph: Peloton
The Best App
Peloton
I’ve tried so many workout apps since the start of the pandemic, but I, like everyone else, am now helplessly addicted to the Peloton app. Many WIRED staffers use the app in conjunction with Peloton’s branded (and pricey) bike or treadmill. But as long as you have a smartphone or tablet, you can use the app with any spin bike, treadmill, or no equipment at all.
For $13 per month, the Peloton app offers nine different kinds of on-demand or live workouts of varying lengths and intensities, from 10-minute meditations to long outdoor runs, in addition to rides. You can load the app on a variety of devices—I have mine on my phone and Roku TV. The standout features are the sheer charisma of Peloton’s instructors and the idiosyncrasy of workouts. (Britpop run? Country music strength training? Yes, please.) It’s got a great subscriber base too. If you’re wasting away from a lack of human connection, it’s incredibly easy to text friends and family in different cities to show up in the same class.
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Photograph: iFit
If You Miss Travel
iFit
It’s unfortunate that so many fitness apps require proprietary equipment. But if you’ve got the itch to travel while under lockdown, I recommend iFit, which partners with NordicTrack, ProForm, and FreeMotion equipment. You get world-class athletic instructors with jaw-dropping natural scenery from all over the world for workouts that are both stunning and entertaining.
I may not be able to ride a pump track with Ashleigh McIvor in real life, even if there wasn’t a pandemic. But on iFit’s platform, I laughed out loud from the exhilaration of flying behind her as the bike tilted up and down. I loved it so much, in fact, that my own mother bought the treadmill and has been enjoying her own global walks at home.
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Photograph: Apple
If You Own an Apple Watch
Apple Fitness+
Speaking of proprietary equipment: If you want to subscribe to Apple’s subscription service, Fitness+, you will first need an Apple Watch that’s a Series 3 or newer, which means you’ll also need an iPhone. If you want to watch classes on your TV, you’ll also need an Apple TV, although you can also watch classes on your iPad. That’s a lot of equipment to start using a brand-new fitness service ($10 per month) that doesn’t have nearly the same entertainment value or long-time devoted user community of apps like Peloton.
However, if you already own all these products, you’re probably going to hop right on board. Seamless integration across devices removes much of the friction of starting workouts. Closing your Apple Watch exercise rings is still one of the easiest and most addictive motivational games I’ve used. The company also recently debuted A Time To Walk, where celebrities can accompany you on your outdoor excursions (I’ve also heard these referred to as “podcasts”, but oh well).
