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Five Free Workouts To Stay Healthy And Find A Daily Community In Quarantine

Ward off the countless stress-eaten calories with these great at-home workouts. All classes are free, but studios and instructors appreciate donations.

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As quarantiners everywhere try to combat gaining the “COVID-15,” a subculture of virtual fitness programs is growing. The only requirements to join? An Instagram account and an open mind.

While you sweat, Instagram Live followers send supportive messages urging everyone to “stay healthy” and “keep moving,” opening up an unparalleled access to community worldwide in this new time of social distancing. The daily virtual classes act as a constant, providing certainty and routine in the most uncertain of times.

Ward off the countless stress-eaten calories with these great at-home workouts. All classes are free, but studios and instructors appreciate donations.

1. Salt Drop: Everyday 11:00 a.m. EST, IG Live, @thesaltdrop

If you’re looking for something low impact with a hint of cardio, enter Salt Drop. The class is a unique mix of yoga and Pilates that flows into cardio plyometrics, all guided by groove expert Dino Malvone. Many fitness enthusiasts know him from Barre3, but this method, Salt Drop, expands upon classic barre with a soulful optimism that will have you centered and uplifted throughout the day.

2. CitySweat with Meghan McFerran: Everyday 10:00 a.m. EST, IG Live, @meghanmcferran

Meghan McFerran was one of the first fitness instructors to utilize IG Live throughout quarantine, giving back to her faithful followers with these free daily workouts. Her energy alone is enough to help pull us through this crisis. Take dance cardio and combine it with micro, toning exercises and you have CitySweat. Best of all, Meghan is inclusive and approachable. Virtual fitness newbies should start here.

3. FORWARD_Space: Every weekday 2:05 p.m. EST, IG Live, @forwardspace

Forward Space is unlike any other fitness experience. The unique method relies on a combination of good energy, dance, and beats that attracts the most diverse group of fitness junkies. Founded by choreographer Kristin Sudeikis, Forward Space gives everyone the opportunity to feel like they can dance. Every day at 2:05 p.m. they offer a 30-minute, no shame dance party that is sure to convert hardcore HIIT fans to the world of dance-cardio.

4. Lyon’s Den: Everyday at 5:00 p.m. EST on Zoom

This class offers the most “bang for your buck,” which says a lot given that it’s free. Lyon’s Den has a cult following of yogis new and old, and these diehards expect the difficulty of their virtual classes to equal in-person sessions. Lyon’s Den delivers. The hour-long flows are challenging, yet restorative and their music selection is elite. Expect tons of Chaturanga, so much so that you might turn it into a drinking game… after the workout, of course.

5. Legs By Lauren: Various times throughout the week, IG Live, @lifeoflaurenashley

The self-described “Energizer Barbie,” Lauren (of NYC’s Studio B) recalls that feeling you get when biting into a birthday cake cupcake—deliciously sweet, yet still healthy. The movements are small, but the burn is intense. While she’s known for her “Legs by Lauren” series, she’s mixed it up for quarantined Insta-viewers. Lauren is poppy, cheery and has a body envied by bloggers everywhere. She partners with many health enthusiasts, so this class will be a gateway into the Insta-fitness world. If Elle Woods were to take a fitness class, this would be the one. In the words of Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”