Don’t have a workout buddy or a trainer? Consider joining one of these virtual fitness communities instead.
If you’re thinking about making a healthy change, from sticking to a more nutritious diet to starting a fitness program, you’ll need support. These six virtual fitness communities are designed to personalize your workouts, count your calories, and most of all, motivate you to go above and beyond your fitness goals with a little help from your new friends.
1. Daily Burn
Website and app Daily Burn gives you the energy and motivation of a group workout class while at home with daily live-streamed videos. The virtual fitness program is ideal for beginners who want to embark on their fitness journeys at home, as well as new moms, and people on the go. All workouts are beginner-friendly, and feature celebrities and fitness experts like Bob Harper. In addition to the daily show, there are over 150 various full-body workouts on demand, from yoga to strength training. What sets Daily Burn apart from other programs is its extensive support network. From real-time, in-show chats with trainers, to connecting with other members through the app and social media, you never work out alone with Daily Burn. Explore the tag #DB365 to get inspired.
2. MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a free, easy-to-use smartphone app and website that allows you to track your daily caloric and nutrient intake from anywhere. Whether you are counting calories, or tracking macros for the first time, MyFitnessPal can help you reach your goals. Logging meals is simple with a searchable food database of over 5 million options. You can also conveniently link MFP to your FitBit, Jawbone, or Apple Watch to allow your activity to automatically be calculated into your caloric goal. The MFP community has thousands of forums and groups you can join to share success stories, ask questions, and find friends and accountability partners just like you.
3. SparkPeople
SparkPeople.com is a free diet and healthy living community that boasts personalized fitness and weight loss programs for anyone striving to reach healthy lifestyle goals. The program is especially helpful for those looking to change their eating habits. As well as individualizing a nutrition plan for you, SparkPeople can also connect you with others following similar plans for support. In fact, support is the biggest key to the site’s success. From health and wellness forums that discuss health conditions in length, to fun and interactive challenges to partake in, SparkPeople has something for everyone.
4. Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Guide
The Bikini Body Guide, or “BBG,” is a 12-week intensive virtual fitness program for women, created by Australian personal trainer and fitness experts Kayla Itsines and Toby Pierce. The program is designed to teach women how to exercise precisely for the results they want through strength training and cardio, from beginners to athletes. Each workout session is only 28 minutes long, can be completed with little to no equipment, and can be logged in the new app, “Sweat with Kayla.” The BBG community on both Facebook and Instagram is what makes this program remarkable; you can get to know and follow women like you through several sub-communities within BBG, including #BBGmoms (moms following BBG), #BBGover30 (women over 30 following the guide), and #BBGbride (women who are #sweatingforthewedding).
5. Fitocracy
Fitocracy can provide you with your very own virtual fitness trainer to create a personal plan for your success. Since the plan is completely customized to you, Fitocracy can help you reach your goals whether you are completely new to fitness or a seasoned pro, and whether you are a gym-rat or prefer to exercise at home. The website and app caters to your competitive side with a game-like structure: The site grants you points for each activity you track, and awards you with badges for unlocking special achievements, encouraging challenges with other “fitocrats.” You’ll receive daily accountability and guidance from your coach to make sure you’re on track.
6. The Biggest Loser Club
We all know the reality series “The Biggest Loser,” and though the show’s drastic weight loss program is controversial, The Biggest Loser Club offers members all the benefits of an empowering weight loss program without any of the drama. The Club has beginner to advanced level exercise plans, and meal plans that are carefully developed by TBL registered dieticians. A team of experts and ambassadors are available 24/7 to offer support, answer questions, and share insights to keep you committed.
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