Review 1: POPSUGAR Fitness
POPSUGAR is a lifestyle brand that has a variety of fitness videos as well as health and beauty articles. The workout was the most physically intense out of the other videos, but it was my favorite. POPSUGAR Fitness has a variety of videos from floor pilates to dance cardio to kickboxing. I tried a cardio kickboxing and core workout, and I loved it. The instructors helped you through the workout with breathing techniques, motivational words, modifications and technique tips, and some jokes. Rather than watching someone workout, the instructors were fun and motivating. They coached me through a variety of exercises that were new and different. I never got bored and wanted to do another video despite my exhaustion. They have videos to a variety of music that gets you pumped up without distracting from the instructor. When I was watching the video, I felt like I was back at the gym taking a regular fitness class.
Review 2: HASfit
For the past seven years, HASfit has been run by two trainers, Claudia and Coach Kozark, who have more than 100 million workouts. The workout was difficult, but Claudia did modifications while Coach Kozark did the entire workout. They were focused on positivity, technique, and breathing. Coach Kozark is a queen of the sayings “let’s go troop” and “ten more seconds.” Although the positivity was motivating, there was a lack of music. Personally, no music is a deal breaker for me. It felt awkward and uninspiring simply just listening to two slightly out of breath voices. But if you don’t mind working out with no background music, this is a good choice for you.
Review 3: Tone it Up
Tone it Up is a small life-style company and blog created by Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn. The goal was to create a community of women and connect in a positive way to reach fitness goals. As well as having workout videos, they have numerous fitness and health articles, apparel, and different protein powders. Although the beginning video of women in tiny sports bras all happy and cheerful as they workout was unnecessary, the workout consisted of unique moves and motivating words. The trainer was on the beach as she was instructing, which was a nice change of scenery to the regular gym background. However, she did not go through any modifications of the exercises nor did she explain the exercises. She also did not go through the proper technique to reduce injuries. And the repetition of the same background music for sixteen minutes got very old very fast. The workout was not the hardest, but a good set of videos for after a run or long bike ride.
Review 4: Mad Fit
MadFit is run by Maddie Lymburner, a youtuber and fitness influencer. Although her credentials aren’t too impressive, she creates free workout videos meant for small spaces and apartments. She has a wide variety of workouts from fun dance videos to HIIT cardio to leg strengthening videos. Although the Youtuber doesn’t talk much in her video, she spends a decent amount of time showing the right technique and has fun music to workout to. Her videos are aesthetically pleasing with a simple background and timer in the corner. However, she does not show modifications to any move. But, if you know how to do a variety of exercises and aren’t looking for someone to talk to you for the entire time, MadFit is a good option for you.
Review 5: Chloe Ting
Chole Ting started as a small instagram influencer and became very popular after she posted her two-week Shred workout. I have seen tons of youtube videos, Tik Toks, and Instagram hashtags all supporting the Chloe Ting two week shred workout program. Although the video was aesthetically pleasing with her all-white studio, progress, and the name of the workout in the corner, all together the workout was uninspiring and boring. A lot of the workout moves were repetitive and lacked creativity, I felt like the entire thing was just a mix of burpees, planks, and lunges. The video consisted of three sets of seven exercises where the exercise was 30 seconds on and then there would be a 5-10 second break. I thought that the exercises changed too quickly, in that it took more time transitioning then actually working out. Additionally, rather than Ting talking at you, it was merely a voiceover. In my opinion, it felt impersonal and I lacked motivation throughout the workout. It was practically watching someone go through their workout routine rather than an actual instructional class. My last problem with the class is the promise that you will have abs in two weeks. Despite the youtube videos of proof, a lot of people can’t build abs that quickly just based on two 15 minute videos a day. She forgets about genetics, eating healthy, and adding in cardio. Workout videos that promise you will have abs in a week or more muscular arms usually overgeneralize working out. Overall, I have to say I did build up a sweat by the end, but the EDM elevator music and voice-over were not motivating.
