Being a mother while maintaining personal well-being has been hard for me. With the never-ending list of responsibilities, finding time for self-care, particularly exercise, is often neglected. Yet, physical activity is crucial for physical and mental health, especially for women juggling multiple roles.

Only at the beginning of 2023 did I find dedicating time to personal needs impossible. The constant cycle of feeding, changing, and caring for a child often left me with little room for anything or too depleted to do more. 

I felt a growing disconnect from my body and resentment towards my husband, who, unlike me, could easily make time for his fitness routine—as a stay-at-home mom, my days revolved around our child, leaving little room for personal activities. He was shedding weight and getting stronger while I did the opposite. His unpredictable work schedule made coordinating with a personal trainer impractical, and my gym anxiety prevented me from venturing into that environment. Plus, years of wasted gym memberships had discouraged me because, as a stay-at-home mom, there is no room for wasting money. 

While embracing the natural changes that come with motherhood is essential, I had to learn that it's equally important to find a balance between motherhood and my well-being. So, I had to find something that worked for me and aligned with my lifestyle to get active and fit.

After crying and being frustrated because of all the obstacles I saw in my fitness journey. My friend suggested Grow With Jo, and that kickstarted my journey of working out at home. I would put my daughter in her playpen and work out or wait until nap time to follow a YouTube video. It worked because I didn’t have to worry about packing a diaper bag, driving to the gym, childcare, finances, etc. I could get started without feeling judged and start at my own pace.

If you feel obstacles in your fitness journey, this is your sign to turn on YouTube and start there. I am more active and confident than ever since starting at-home workouts on YouTube. 

Why Choose YouTube for At-Home Workouts?

YouTube is a convenient and affordable way to work out at home. The gym can be daunting, especially for beginners, and you may be limited to a specific schedule of classes. With YouTube, you can access workouts from anywhere at any time and choose workouts that fit your fitness level, schedule, and interests. This flexibility and variety make YouTube my favorite platform for at-home workouts.

In this blog post, I will share the 3 YouTube fitness channels that have changed my life and made me fall in love with exercise.

3 YouTube Channels That Will Make You Fall In Love With Exercise

Growwithjo

Jo is not just a fitness trainer; she's a mom too! Her channel was the first channel that got me started on my journey. Jo creates free and fun at-home workouts that are effective and perfect for beginners. On her channel, you can find easy-to-follow fun workouts and monthly schedules to follow. Whether a beginner or an experienced fitness girl, you'll find something for everyone on her fitness channel. 

Here are some of my favorite videos from Grow with Jo

15 Min Full Body Pilates Inspired Workout for Moms

Do This  Every Morning for Weight Loss (Tabata Cardio)

Rihanna vs Beyonce Dance Party Workout (Full Body, No Equipment)

30 Min Mood Boost and Anxiety Release Cardio Workout

Feel Good Afrobeats Dance Workout

In addition to the free YouTube videos, GrowwithJo has an app to access a personal meal plan, training programs & single workouts, meditations, podcasts, breathing exercises, and intermittent fasting. For access to the program, it is 19.99 a month or 59.99 a year.

Kamoya Farray

Kamoya Farray’s goal is to make working out fun again, especially for plus-size women. She wants women to not obsess over the scale, go on strict diets, and not feel good enough in their bodies. She wants women to feel supported and know the journey is about the climb, not the destination.

Kamoya's positive energy makes her fitness videos perfect for women who need motivation to get active. She also provides affirmations during workouts that make you empowered to do anything. Even though she caters to plus-size women, her workouts are great for women of all sizes. It is nice to see a plus-size woman like myself being active and fit because it gives me hope for myself.

Here are some of my favorite videos from Kamoya Farray:

PLUS SIZE BEGINNER 20 Min Toned Arms One Dumbbell Full Upper Body Workout| Lose Inches, All Standing

PLUS SIZE BEGINNER 20 MIN CARDIO BURN WORKOUT AT HOME| Low Impact, No Equipment, No Repeats

PLUS SIZE 12 Min HIIT Cardio Workout to Boost Your MOOD & ENERGY while Burning Calories| LOW IMPACT

PLUS SIZE/BEGINNER Daily 10 MIN Standing ABS WORKOUT/ NO EQUIPMENT

PLUS SIZE Beginner Meditative Standing Pilates Workout for Core Strength & Balance w/ Deep Breathing

In addition to the free YouTube videos, Kamoya has an exclusive membership program on YouTube for $9.99 a month. In the program, you will get access to structured workout programs to help you stay on track.

Mr. and Mrs. Muscle

Mr. and Mrs. Muscle use scientifically proven micro workouts combined with HIIT to bring you highly effective short workouts that burn fat, build muscle, increase strength, and develop functional fitness. Their training style is for those who need time-efficient workouts that are easy to follow and deliver results! 

I appreciate that Mr. and Mrs. Muscle’s YouTube fitness videos often provide ratings for sweat, strength, and intensity before the workout starts. This is especially helpful for people new to HIIT or strength training, as it allows them to choose a workout appropriate for their fitness level. Additionally, many of their YouTube workout videos offer modifications and keep the workouts under 20 minutes, which makes them a convenient and accessible option for people who are short on time.

Here are some of my favorite videos from Mr. and Mrs. Muscle:

20 min Upper Body Dumbbell Strength Workout

NO JUMPING!! STANDING ONLY ABS WORKOUT | FLAT STOMACH, TOTAL CORE 

13 min dumbbell HIIT workout to lose weight fast

20-min FULL BODY DUMBBELL Workout Routine | [Build Muscle & Strength]

9 min intense cardio HIIT workout | modifications included

In addition to the free YouTube workout videos, Mr. and Mrs. Muscle has an app with HIIT Workouts. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Tips for Choosing a YouTube Channel for Your At-Home Workouts

The YouTube fitness channels above are a suggestion. They work for me. My focus isn’t losing weight but being consistent and feeling good in my body. To find fitness YouTube channels that work for your at-home workouts, consider your fitness goals and choose fitness channels that offer enjoyable workouts. The three channels are an excellent start to learning what you like and don’t like when exercising.

Now that you have some great YouTube fitness channels to follow, here are a few tips to start your fitness journey with at-home workouts.

How to Get the Most out of Your At-Home Workouts

Create a Dedicated Workout Space

This doesn't have to be a large space, but it should be somewhere you can move freely and without distractions. Initially, my workout space was in the living room. I would push back the coffee table and start my YouTube fitness video of the day. As I became more consistent, we turned our office into a home gym space. If possible, set up your workout space in a well-lit area with a mirror so you can check your form. If you don’t have a mirror, I recommend propping your phone up and using the camera to check your form.

Set Realistic Goals

One of the biggest misconceptions about working out is that it requires much time. As a busy mom, knowing that even short workouts can make a big difference is essential. You can start with 10-15 minute workouts and gradually increase the duration as you have more time. Remember, every bit of activity counts, and consistency is key. Don't rush the process. Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. My first fitness goal was to move my body for 15 minutes four times weekly. Remember that consistency is more important than intensity. Every step towards a healthier lifestyle is a step in the right direction.

Make It a Family Affair

Incorporate fitness into your family's routine. Whether playing active games with your kids, going for family walks, or doing quick home workouts together, involving your family can make exercise more fun and achievable.

Listen to Your Body

Listening to your body is essential when starting a fitness routine, especially if you are a mom and your body is constantly changing. Feel free to modify exercises or switch to something more comfortable if a workout doesn't feel right. You want to be challenged, but not to the point where you are miserable. If I don't enjoy a workout, I'm less likely to complete it or stick with my fitness routine. The goal is to find workouts you enjoy that gradually help you build your strength and endurance.

In conclusion, YouTube has been my go-to resource for at-home workouts, and it's helped me be more consistent with my exercise routine than ever before. I highly recommend checking out the three YouTube fitness channels I shared in this post: GrowwithJo, Kamoya Farray, and Mr. and Mrs. Muscle. These channels offer various workouts for all fitness levels and goals, and they're all led by experienced and qualified fitness instructors. And because these workouts are so convenient and accessible, you can start today and progress towards a healthier, happier you.

Let me know which YouTube fitness channel is your favorite in the comments below! Then, follow me on Instagram [@_ebonydeshae] for behind-the-scenes of my fitness journey and inspiration.