Digital tools to help whip your body into shape

Technology has crept into almost every single aspect of our lives these days and fitness is no exception. With summer season coming up in a couple of weeks, here are some digital tools to help whip your body into shape.

Online classes (live and on demand)

Online classes are basically live or pre-recorded video classes which you can access from home. These are great exercise options if travel is inconvenient, one is on holiday or has to stay at home for an extended amount of time

This option also suits corporate busy bees and start up workaholics who can never seem to find the time to go and work out as online classes have 10 to 15 minute workouts on demand. All you would need is a laptop or tablet, a mat, and related exercise equipment (e.g. chair, dumbbells, etc.)

For some live classes, your device would need to have a camera and Internet connection so that the instructor can see you, and it has to be positioned where it shows your full body.

Gymcube offers on-demand and live gym classes with a timetable similar to that of a gym. The site boast a variety of workouts for men and women from weight training, yoga, cardio to latin aerobics.

However, the live classes are only one-way, so you would see the instructor but they won’t see you. The service offers a free 10-day trial and a monthly membership option.

Fitness Blender offers free full length workouts similar to those you can find in the gym. The workouts are of varying lengths and styles with the aim to tone and lose fat.

Workouts include yoga/stretch, pilates, barre, cardio, strength training, etc. The site also offers an 8-week exercise and meal plan for fat loss and toning, profits which go directly into funding more free videos for viewers.

Sleek technique offers ballet inspired exercise routines with both live and on demand options. Its on demand classes range from 10 to 30 minutes and focus on different areas of the body and cater to differing skill levels.

The live classes have 30, 45 and 55-minute options with different levels of ability. Live classes are also only limited to a certain number of students per class so that the instructor can see the form of all students on the screen and give corrections accordingly – and yes, you can do this via an iPad!

Note that all classes are held in UK time although international students are welcome to join. Upon registration, you’re treated to a free 15-minute on demand barre workout and classed as a pay as you go member. Monthly membership options are also available.

Barre3 provides online on demand workouts which have 10, 30, 40 and 60-minute options. Barre3 workouts include a signature 3-step sequence which delivers a balanced, total-body workout that one can do anytime, anywhere. All movements are low-impact and designed to burn fat, build muscle and break through plateaus.

There are also workouts especially tailored for pre-natal or postnatal women. Barre3 features a 28-day workout challenge and a 7-day body blast challenge if you want to follow a workout routine. Barre3 also has a mobile app which features various 10 minute routines for on the go consumption and physical studios in various parts of the US.

There are one or two free videos on the site but a subscription is the way to go.