During quarantine at home before I came to campus, I had a lot of time on my hands, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. Also, as a dancer, being out of the studio for so long left me missing physical activity and being active. So, I began working out more in my free time, trying out different workouts on YouTube ranging from kickboxing to yoga. I certainly don’t have nearly the space to complete some of those workouts now as I did at home, so I went back to searching for versatile workouts that I can do in my dorm now that the weather is cooling down and I can’t do these workouts outside without freezing. So, here are some of my favorite workouts so far that I think you will be able to successfully complete in your dorm or small space this fall and winter!
- 45 Minute Power Yoga Class with Ally Maz
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As a yoga newbie, I have scoured YouTube for fun, engaging practices while I learn and gain experience on the mat. I have consistently heard about the yoga classes offered by Lululemon, yet unfortunately have never been able to attend. But, I was very excited to find this video with instructor Ally Maz presented by Lululemon. This means you can do yoga anytime, at your own pace, and in your own space. I have tried it both with and without a yoga mat, and both options work well.
I often get tired of doing the same workout videos all the time and feel the need to change it up often. However, I keep going back to this video, time, and time again. If you’re looking for an engaging, fun yoga experience, this workout is for you.
- Pamela Reif’s 10 Minute Ab Workout
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If you’re looking for a challenging, quick ab workout, Pamela Reif is your gal. This video is 10 minutes of exercises for about 30 seconds each with no breaks. For such a short workout, this one will really tire you out. When it comes to muscle group-specific workouts, I really enjoy abs just because there’s a lot of variety in what you can do, and Pamela has a variety of videos with completely different combinations of exercises. This one is a favorite since it is not too short, not too long, and just the right amount of challenging.
- MadFit’s Low Impact Full Body HIIT Workout
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Living in a residence that has multiple floors, I always worry that if I did cardio, I would disturb my neighbors with all the jumping. But, MadFit’s no equipment and no jumping high-intensity interval training is the answer to those problems. This video is excellent because it is mindful of space and still manages to get your heart rate up. Also, if you’re crunched for time, the video is only 23 minutes and is perfect for the days you want a full-body workout without the long time commitment to complete it.
- Pamela Reif’s 10 Minute Cardio Workout
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Again, Pamela Reif is one of the queens of YouTube workouts. Her 10 minute cardio with no jumping is also neighbor friendly and great for smaller spaces. Shorter than the MadFit video, this one is great if you want a quick, challenging workout. I love that her videos include music and a countdown with the exercises, while telling you which is next in the top right corner. While the workout is supposedly “silent,” it’s also a silent killer—I’m exhausted by the end of this one.
- Alexis Ren’s 10 Minute Ab Workout
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I know this video became quite popular a few years ago, but I rediscovered it recently, and I’m sure glad I did. This ab workout is definitely a killer, and you will certainly be feeling the burn after. I really appreciate how easy this one is to follow along while also being challenging enough to make you feel accomplished by the end of the workout. The exercises themselves are more simple and easy enough to do in a small space but are also very challenging when they’re in immediate succession for the whole workout.
Also important after your workout is to make sure you stretch your muscles. It’s best to do static stretching at the end of your workout, not before. But, it’s also beneficial to include some dynamic stretches as well at the end too. Personally, I really enjoy MadFit’s 15 Minute Daily Stretch Routine or Yoga With Adriene’s Yoga for Flexibility to cool down.
While working out in a dorm or small space is not the most ideal situation, it’s great that there are so many fitness creators who have shared their content with the public at no cost. These videos are some of my favorites, but there are so many more to try that are also great options.
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