This online workout series from Les Mills is challenging, motivating and rewarding. The subscription gives you thousands of workouts across strength, yoga, martial arts, cardio and more, but I’ve solely used my membership for these 30-minute high-intensity workouts. My first introduction to the workout was this YouTube video featuring Nina Dobrev, and honestly, I found it so challenging that I couldn’t finish it.

Now I’m hooked and incorporate the full-body GRIT workouts at the gym two to three times a week. The series is split into three categories, from weight-based strength routines to heartrate-spiking, no equipment cardio. Divided into tracks, the instructors offer beginner and advanced options for each exercise. I know the 30-minute classes pack a real punch because I’m dripping in sweat at the end of every session.  

It’s a great way to test out group fitness classes at home, and it delivers results – I’ve noticed a meaningful improvement in my overall cardiovascular health. 

Try Les Mills GRIT here.  

If I want to achieve any semblance of productivity and a good mood, I need to exercise in the morning before work. Because I work from home, I try and get out of the house to do this (easiest way to make sure I actually do leave the house every day). But when I’m stretched for time, I do a HIIT workout from Grow with Anna or Juice & Toya. 

Both channels are free and were found by typing “30 min HIIT workout” into YouTube. I like these workouts because they can be as hard or easy as you like. I can go all out for 40 minutes and be puffed and red-faced or I can just do a quick 20 minutes and still feel like I’ve achieved something. There’s also a lot of variety in these workouts (great for my short attention span) and you can choose videos that give modified/less advanced options for each exercise too. Plus, with high-intensity training, nothing lasts forever; if an exercise is too hard or strenuous, you know it’s going to be over in less than a minute.  

I definitely feel fitter and stronger from consistently doing these workouts. And I’ve also found they are more enjoyable when I wear my AirPods and work out to my own music.