Love or loathe it, working out at home has become a necessary evil. Finding something fun – that’s also effective when done in your living room – is not an easy task, but these 9 options are the perfect mix. Whether you are a beginner looking to fall in love with fitness, ready to take the next step, or advanced in your training, these mum-approved home workouts include something for all levels.
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Although most people prefer to get outside, home workouts have their own perks – you can do it for free, wearing what you want, no one needs to watch, and you can fit it in at a time that suits you.
Each of these home workouts below are no more than 30 minutes and mostly equipment free, so you can squeeze them into your day as easily as possible.
Depending on your exercise ability, I have split them into easy, medium and hard. Before embarking on any new exercise plans, you should consult your doctor.
Now, let’s get moving!
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Easy Home Workouts for Mums
Aerobic Zumba Home Workout
Sweat Factor: 3/5
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 22 Minutes
Throughout the lockdowns and gym closures, this Zumba workout class has been my go-to when finishing up a home workout session as it’s an enjoyable sweat.
I highly recommend grabbing a pair of headphones and putting on your favourite tunes if you’re working out regularly to this video, as it will keep it interesting. The Zumba routine is a full body blast, which makes it ideal to warm up or down your body.
Pilates For Beginners
Sweat Factor: 3/5
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 20 Minutes
Get ready for your core to be sore with this pilates class! It’s a gentle introduction and gives you an idea of whether the world of pilates is for you.
I particularly like this PsycheTruth‘s class as the instructor, Kait Coats, allows plenty of time for each exercise. The focus is on form and doing the exercises in a slow and controlled manner, which is exactly what you want to avoid any injuries and build core strength.
The Fitness Marshall – Dance
Sweat Factor: 3/5
Difficulty: Easy
Length: Approx 3 Minutes per Video
Upbeat and full of energy, get ready to sweat to your favourite songs. Full of vibrance and personality, The Fitness Marshall easily earned a spot on our list. They usually have two levels of difficulty you can follow, so regardless of your fitness, you can shake a leg and get those endorphins going. This is definitely one for your kids to join in too!
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Medium Home Workouts for Mums
20 Minute Full Body Workout
Sweat Factor: 3/5
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 20 Minutes
You don’t need any equipment for this BullyJuice workout. This full-body workout is only 20 minutes but it’ll leave you sweaty and satisfied. If you’re running short on time, it’s perfect to squeeze in before the kids get up, at lunch or in the evening.
It will warm you up with jumping jacks, get you feeling the burn with burpees, planks and mountain climbers, then finish you off with flutter kicks and squats. If you enjoy repetitive sets, this workout is for you. Breaks are thankfully included in the 20 minutes and to take this workout to the next level, you can do it 2-3 times in a row.
20 Minute HIIT Workout
Sweat Factor: 3.5/5
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 20 Minutes
You have probably heard of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) before, but if you haven’t, this form of training is about going 110% during the sets (30 seconds on) and then, completely relaxing on the breaks (30 seconds off) by sitting or even laying down.
Natacha Océane is a well-respected fitness YouTuber and her video will take you through four rounds of five exercises, I definitely felt it by the third and struggled over the final finish line of the fourth. It an excellent 20-minute burn and perfect if you need to keep the noise down if the kids are sleeping.
Yoga For Hips & Lower Back Release
Sweat Factor: 1.5/5
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 22 Minutes
Are you suffering from a stiff lower back or pain in your hips? Perhaps it is from lifting your child or sitting with poor posture in your work chair. Regardless of the reason, this yoga class is amazing for mums! It opens up all of your lower body and is the de-stresser you need after a busy day.
You will require some flexibility to complete the video, but the poses are gentle and why I love Yoga with Adriene is because she keeps it real. She advises you to stay in poses that are comfortable for your body and they are moves everyone can attempt. I would recommend doing this video when you won’t be disturbed as you’ll need to concentrate on your breathing and listen closely as she guides you through the poses.
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Hard Home Workouts for Mums
10 Minute Abs Home Workout
Sweat Factor: 5/5
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 10 Minutes
Chloe Ting is the unofficial queen of home workouts amassing millions of views since March 2020. Chloe has free programmes conveniently based on her YouTube videos that you can access on her website if you want a more structured home workout. However, I very much pick and choose which videos I like, from arms to glutes to abs.
Be prepared, these aren’t for the faint-hearted – the 10-minute workout includes 21 exercises, with 30 seconds on and 10 seconds off, so you will be sweating. If you manage to stick with it, the exercises will get easier as the video goes on.
30 Minute Cardio Latin Dance
Sweat Factor: 4.5/5
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 30 Minutes
If you’re missing your regular Zumba or dance classes, this Latin dance workout will fill the void and get your body moving to the beat. The video also offers a modified version of the dance workout if you rather, but either way, if you bring as much energy as the instructors, you’ll feel the burn.
The reason why the workout is classified as hard is due to the floor and footwork that you have to master. The pace is also fast so you’ll probably need to do it more than three times to really be able to keep up. The stretches at the beginning and end are brilliant for warming up and cooling down your body.
30 Minute Upper Body and Abs
Sweat Factor: 5/5
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 30 Minutes
Build or maintain your muscle mass with Mad Fit. This home workout includes dumbbells but if you don’t have any, a tin of beans or water bottles make excellent replacements. The upper body and core blast are two 15 minute sets, with 40 seconds on and 20 seconds off.
I have been doing this workout to replace my upper body gym splits as it includes bicep, back, triceps, shoulders and chest work. You’ll need good coordination, strength and balance for these exercises, but she takes you through proper form and takes it at a slow and controlled pace.
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Have your say! What are your favourite home workouts? Which videos are you going to try? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!