Gone are the days when ‘working out’ was synonymous with lifting heavy metal in a crowded weights room. While some people thrive in an environment surrounded by other sweaty and determined gym-goers, there are also countless other ways to get fit — from bungee workouts to weighted hula hoops. Now, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your living room to reap the physical and mental benefits of exercise. A far cry from the lycra-clad aerobic videos of the 80s, there are now a slew of home workout programmes that make moving your body easy, convenient and even fun.
One programme that’s making waves thanks to its feel-good workouts and 40,000 strong community of women is Own Your Goals, or ‘OYG.’ The platform is the brainchild of iconic former WH cover star Davina McCall, who has firmly established herself as a health and wellness guru over the last few years. Born out of a desire to help women of all ages feel confident in their own skin, the app is jampacked with over 1000 workouts delivered by Davina and her 17 master personal trainers.
Variety is the name of the game with OYG, and there’s 15 different workout styles available to ensure your routine never gets stale. If you’re in the mood for an uplifting dance workout, you can choose from an array of styles including Paso and the Cha Cha. Or, if you’re feeling feisty, you can channel the stresses of the day into a shadow boxing session. For when you need something more relaxing, Soulful Stretch will help you work muscles you never knew existed against a soundtrack of relaxing beats.
The beauty of OYG is that unlike some other platforms, you don’t need any fancy equipment. While some workouts call for gear like dumbbells (which the team suggests swapping with two 500 ml water bottles if you don’t have any) and a soft ball (try a cushion in its place if you need), there are also plenty that are body weight only. The platform is available on web, iOS and Android, so you can get your workout in whether you’re working from home or are on-the-go travelling. Plus, each workout is only around 25 minutes, meaning you can sneak them into even the busiest schedule.
Say goodbye to boring workouts
As we all know, exercise is only one part of the equation when it comes to achieving a fit, strong physique like Davina’s. That’s why the OYG platform also contains over 600 delicious recipes as well as meal plans, calorie counters, downloadable fitness guides and personalised workout playlists. There’s also over 30 different challenges such as Sculpt, Strength and Flexibility, so you can make sure your workouts are tailored to your specific goals.
When you sign up for Own Your Goals, you also join a community of over 40,000 other members who cheer each other on for added accountability.
‘Our community is the thing that sets us apart from other platforms,’ says Davina McCall. ‘I’ve never seen people support each other as much as they do here, and the friendships that are being made are so inspiring’.
To celebrate five years helping women own their goals, OYG is giving away 30 days free on the platform for the month of May.