Our resident at-home workout addict shares her favourite ways to get moving in winter (and yes, you can do them in your pyjamas)
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Is anyone else struggling to find the motivation to get up and get moving this winter?
It might sound over dramatic, but from grey days to rain, fog, and temperatures that feel below freezing, getting out of bed and hitting the gym can be a big challenge. Which is why I don’t.
Hi, my name is Erin and I’m addicted to at-home workouts. I’m not talking about the aesthetically pleasing ‘clean-girl’ workout routines you see on TikTok, complete with perfectly coordinated workout sets, a slicked-back bun, a cute Stanely cup, and a matching gym mat. I do what I like to refer to as ‘rotting-girl’ workouts (referencing the phrase from social media where a person stays in bed for an extended period to do passive activities like scrolling and snacking – not because I’m actually rotting).
I roll out of bed, I don’t bother brushing my hair or my teeth, and I change into my comfiest, stained hoodie and trackies – on a good day – to wander into my lounge room to move my body in a way that feels good.
I don’t look cute (between my hair sticking up in all directions and the pimple patches that are usually still stuck on my face, I usually look terrifying), I don’t need to brave the cold and it’s great for my budget. Why? Cause when you don’t want to leave the house for a good workout, YouTube is your best friend.
I don’t like countdowns or buzzers (if I’m not going to a HIIT class I don’t want to feel like I’m in a HIIT class) and all of these free YouTube workouts have been tried and tested multiple times – so I can confirm they can be done from the comfort of home with the heater blasting on the coldest and laziest of days. And if you’re feeling super cosy, you don’t even need to get changed out of your pyjamas (guilty).
Pilates
I am a self-confessed Pilates girlie and there’s nothing more satisfying than rolling like a ball while looking like an oversized marshmallow in your rotting girl matching set (we all have one, don’t lie). Move With Nicole is always my go-to; from more intense workouts to super lazy feel-good flows, no matter what mood I’m in, she has a Pilates workout to match.
Isa Welly is fabulous for when you need some wholesome vibes (she always makes me smile) and workouts from Callie Jardine Gualy are packed full of affirmations for when you need a little mood boost.
Yoga
For the mornings when nothing sounds better than staying asleep, Yoga is my go-to – mostly because the meditation makes me feel like I’ve caught an extra few minutes of z’s. Yoga with Bird and Move with Nicole (yep – again. I’m obsessed) both offer a range of workouts depending how much time you have – from a quick five-minute stretch to a 45-minute power flow.
Fall over during a tree pose? Who cares, you’re at home. And besides, with cold weather impacting muscle stiffness, a free at-home session in your fuzzy socks will probably leave you feeling amazing.
Dance
As a long-time cardio hater (if you ever see me running, it’ll be away from something and you should be scared), I was surprised to find I love throwing in a cheeky dance workout into my at-home workout routine. Not only do they get my heart pumping, but it also means I don’t need to venture to Mooseheads to make a fool of myself while dancing along to some absolute bangers.
MadFit shares some amazing dance party workouts where she leads you through some fun and (semi) easy choreography. Great for hyping yourself up, and letting loose, from 80s music to 90s throwbacks and new singles that are topping the charts (think: Sabrina Carpenters Please, Please, Please and Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe!) there’s something for every kind of music taste.
Plus, it’s so fun it doesn’t even feel like exercise!
