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A busy schedule can wreak havoc on your fitness routine. With everything you have going on in your life, it's not always easy to get to the gym. Still, being pulled in ten different directions isn't anything new, which is why workout videos that let you break a sweat in the comfort of your home have been around for decades. 

The fitness industry has come a long way since the days of Richard Simmons and Billie Blanks' library of workout DVDs, though. Now, there are truckloads of online fitness classes available, which make it even easier to get in a sweat session from anywhere, anytime (as long as there's solid wifi). 

The seemingly endless options can be overwhelming. How do you know which fitness class will help you meet your goals for both your health and your budget? And which classes have the coaches and community that can inspire you to keep pressing play? 

Shape rounded up a list of the best online fitness classes that suit a wide variety of workout styles, goals, budgets, and experience levels. Some are so good they might just have you reconsidering that gym membership.  

It's hard not to love Alo Moves with its wide variety of workout styles that cater to all levels of experience. Top fitness favorites like Pilates, yoga, HIIT, and meditative mindfulness all come together on one intuitive app.

You might be familiar with Alo Yoga, whose fitness apparel is beloved by celebrities. Alo Moves is their sister company and offers a massive catalog of fitness classes online. While it's known for yoga, barre, and Pilates-type workouts, you can also find HIIT, strength, and mindfulness practices. Using Alo Moves' intuitive app, you can further narrow down the classes to target a specific fitness goal or area of concentration such as legs, core, or upper body. 

You'll find workouts as short as ten minutes and as long as ninety minutes, which means it may be hard to find an excuse not to make time for some sweat-inducing self-care. Not every class requires equipment; sometimes, the necessary prop is a household item like a towel. Alo's free thirty-day trial gives you full access. If you fall in love and decide to subscribe, there are no special fees to unlock additional classes. In fact, the app will recommend classes daily to help you meet your wellness goals.

Studio SWEAT OnDemand is much more than just their popular spin workouts—there is something for all levels and preferences. Plus, a community of live instructors and real participants helps fuel your motivation. 

There are many reasons to try Studio SWEAT OnDemand, but perhaps the most convincing is their relatable atmosphere and programming. Much like the community at their actual San Diego gym, the online version is built to offer a variety of welcoming classes for people of all fitness levels. You can try cycling, barre, boot camp, yoga, and more in an unassuming environment (filmed in their gym) with fellow fitness enthusiasts (it features live participants). You can also choose classes that are pre-recorded. 

Studio SWEAT's expansive library provides access to hundreds of classes on demand as well. Sign up via the app or online, and opt for workouts with equipment or no equipment. If you decide to subscribe after the seven-day free trial, you have three options: monthly for $19.88 per month, pay as you go, a 3-month intro plan for $49.64 or yearly for $188.56.

There are also two memberships that come with a spin bike and more. First, the pro bike bundle ($1,999) includes a spin bike, one-year membership to classes, weekly workout plans, nutrition tips, and accessories. Second is the value bike bundle ($899) with a spin bike, one-year class subscription, workout plans, nutrition tips, and one accessory.

FitOn is a free option that provides access to a wide assortment of classes including those perfectly suited for parents, people trying to get a workout in at the office, and those who want to try a celebrity routine. Whether you are just beginning to exercise or are a seasoned fitness enthusiast bored with traditional offerings, you can't beat this personalized free app. 

FitOn was created by a former Fitbit executive with one main goal in mind; breathe new life into the world of online fitness classes. Over ten classes are live streamed daily and are usually hosted by celebrity trainers, including Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Jonathan Van Ness, and Cassey Ho, to name a few. It also boasts a massive library of on-demand classes. You'll never get bored with FitOn's array of available workouts. Finding your ideal session is easy thanks to a variety of search filters, including parameters such as prenatal, at-work, and no-equipment. 

Shape spoke to a few FitOn devotees about their experience and this is what they said:

"FitOn was and remains to be the only app that has everything I could ever dream to ask for from a health and wellness app," says Michy Ferris, who has been using FitOn since 2020. "To this day, it still blows me away the amount of content and features that are available for free." 

She's even made good friends through the app. "I've met some of my best friends through FitOn which allowed us to share our fitness journeys and support each other."

Heather M. is another happy FitOn member, and she has lost 65 pounds and hit her goal weight in seven months. "FitOn helped me learn that movement is medicine and develop an absolute love of fitness, to say it changed my life is an understatement," she says. "I was incredibly timid when I started, now I feel like an absolute warrior."

The FitOn Pro subscription comes with exclusive fitness programs, groups, and recipes. You'll also get personalized meal plans, fitness tracker syncing with the FitOn mobile app, and premium music.

Inspiring instructors encourage you to sweat on Obé Fitness, even if it's only for five minutes, making it one of the most motivating apps. For less than a standard monthly gym membership, you can try out fifteen different workout categories each filmed with Instagrammable neon outfits and a soundtrack to match. 

Touted as a fitness "school" with an innovative way of working out, Obé Fitness has exploded in popularity on Instagram. Peppy instructors dressed in neon suits against sleek backgrounds can give you a motivational boost during those early morning workouts. New content is available daily, as well as the opportunity for instructors to see you and cheer you on during the live streamed sessions. 

There is a little something for everyone – and every schedule, whether you want to build strength or bounce in a trampoline class. Most classes come in under 28 minutes and require little to no equipment, making them perfect for busy individuals or those traveling. A seven-day free trial offers an energetic taste of Obé's 6,000+ workouts, all available with every tier of their subscription options, including the monthly ($24.99) or yearly plan ($169.99). 

Les Mills has over 1,000 workouts in 21 fitness categories thoughtfully designed by specialized and certified trainers. There are non-equipment options, but they don't shy away from using common gym props to get advanced athletes the most challenging workout possible. 

Les Mills fitness classes began with four-time Olympian Les Mills in 1968 and quickly grew from a family gym to an expansive offering of curated workouts. Then, Mills took the iconic in-person classes and tweaked them slightly for on-demand, if you like workouts like BODYPUMP, you'll probably enjoy this platform. 

There are no live stream classes, but you can join Les Mills' global community if you want to connect with other users. If you don't want to explore the 1,000+ workout videos on your own, professional trainers can provide customized workout plans with Les Mills+ Coach. You get a Les Mills personal trainer from $129 monthly, $297 for a 3-month plan, or $450 for 6 months.

The platform's inclusion of regular goal setting and testing can be a great way for advanced athletes to track their progress and stay motivated. The 30-day free trial lets you see if the Les Mills workout style is for you before signing up for one of the three subscription plans: $11.99 monthly, $35.97 for the 3-month plan or $119.88 annually. 

Gaia is a must try for any yoga enthusiast, regardless of skill level. You can choose from a plethora of workouts within the yoga, meditation, and Pilates milieu to strengthen your body while also nourishing your mind. 

Gaia is considered the pinnacle of online yoga workouts for many who practice the art. While perusing the 8,000 yoga classes, it's clear that Gaia instructors know how to flow and are eager to share their knowledge with you. The online platform offers much more than yoga — you can also pick from a number of meditation, fitness, and Pilates videos. Gaia's documentaries, mindfulness content, and original series are great for anyone looking to improve their mental well-being. A library of yoga pose references helps beginners prepare for their next session so they can relax instead of stressing about positions. 

Gaia makes it easy to pick workouts based on its difficulty rating and category label. It also helps individuals work towards their spirituality, mindfulness, and healthy eating goals.  A free seven-day trial helps you get a feel for Gaia, though there's a lot to explore in just a week. You can become a subscriber via monthly or yearly plans ($9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly) or get access to live streaming events with a membership upgrade at $299 per year.

If you love getting a lot of impact in a short amount of time, Booya fitness is for you. Booya Fitness has fast-paced music, upbeat instructors, and the feel of popular boutique classes without the crowds. 

Booya Fitness offers an easy way to partake in a large variety of workouts without having to pack your gym bag or workout in cramped classrooms. Its platform streams every type of fitness workout you can think of, and with thousands of options, there's little opportunity to get bored. It excels in quick and sweaty HIIT classes, but you can also find cultural dance, kickboxing, strength training, and more. All of their workouts are set to popular music, so if you love what's playing on the radio and hate boring background tempos, then their videos are sure to motivate. 

Even though 75 percent of Booya's videos only require a yoga mat, the platform gets that you're likely participating from your home, and that might mean you have limited props on hand so extra gear is not required. Choose a sample workout plan based on your fitness preferences, or use the intuitive app to find exactly what you're looking for. A 30-day free trial gives you ample time to dive into the diverse fitness categories, and if you decide you want to commit, the affordable monthly rate ($9.99) will keep the cardio party going. 

Whether you have two left feet or could be a backup dancer for JLO, STEEZY has a perfect dance workout for you with easy to master choreography. 

STEEZY is a fun and engaging alternative to your typical online fitness class. With over 1,500 videos in categories from hip-hop to break dancing, there's no reason you can't learn to master nearly every style of dance. You can get fit and have fun, and do it for less than the cost of an average monthly gym membership. Plus, the legit studio, sleek lighting, and impeccable instructors make the workouts a joy to watch. 

You can slow down the choreography with STEEZY's video controls to learn the steps and watch the instructor from various angles, which is helpful for beginners and professional dancers alike. Beginners will also appreciate that you can loop sequences, break down the steps, and enable mirror instructor mode. STEEZY creators claim that with five lessons a week, you'll be an advanced-level dancer in only six months. Their seven-day free trial is plenty of time to decide if urban dance is your preferred mode of working out. 

Expand your knowledge and increase your flexibility with "the world's most diverse yoga site," Yoga International. It's tailored to those who want to master yoga and meditation from the comfort of their home. 

Yoga International is the perfect combination of yoga workout classes and education which can help you grow stronger and more knowledgeable about your yoga practice at the same time. Nearly 2,000 videos provide ample opportunities to get in shape, improve flexibility, enhance mindfulness, or simply de-stress. 

Choose from 10- to 90-minute courses. Alternatively, you can opt for courses and programs in which classes build off one another, making it a fantastic tool for yoga teachers looking for flow inspiration. The drawback here is that Yoga International is mainly for yogis. There isn't a variety of workouts. 

These multi-day training sessions, as well as a handful of courses and single classes, are available for individual purchase should you not want to commit to the membership right away. However, they also offer 14-day and 30-day free trials so you will have ample time to get a feel for the flows. 

Alo Moves' sophisticated and user-friendly platform truly sets it apart from the other companies on this list. With class searches and intuitive features, you can search thousands of videos effortlessly, including HIIT, strength training, yoga, meditation, and sound baths. And classes are available in sessions of varying lengths to suit your schedule, whether you have ten minutes or sixty. 

If you're looking for a fun and new exercise experience, Steezy is perfect for anyone who loves to dance. If you want to practice and focus on yoga, try Yoga International.

In order to choose the best online fitness class to meet your needs, first, consider what you value most in a workout program. Are you committed to achieving a certain goal, or are you simply trying to stay fit on a budget? Do you want to avoid purchasing equipment? Do you want to improve your dance skills? Your priorities should help guide you to the perfect online fitness class for you. Once you narrow down your list, look for the online fitness class providers that tick the most boxes on your list

Wondering how to choose the best online fitness class? When comparing online workout subscriptions, the trick is to keep these factors in mind. 

We asked an expert if online fitness classes are effective. "Yes, in my opinion, the most effective aspect of online fitness classes is that it allows you to track your progress," says performance and functional movement coach Keith Hodges, founder of Mind In Muscle Coaching in Los Angeles (CPT,  FRCms CES).

Hodges points out you can sync your classes with your Fitbit, Apple Watch, whoop strap, or another fitness tracker. You can also meet other folks who have the same goals to keep each other accountable. That can lead to some amazing results and friendships.

Most of all, online fitness classes are only effective as long as you have the motivation to show up and press play. 

Not all classes require equipment. Most try to use as few props as possible with the idea that many individuals will be working out from a space where equipment is lacking. However, having some equipment (yoga mat, free weights, foam roller) can help you be more successful in your at-home workouts. 

"It's always great to have a mat, water bottle, towel, and yoga blocks. Some classes will incorporate resistance training and will require dumbbells/kettlebells, mini bands, and resistance bands (with a handle attachment)," Hodges recommends. 

Online fitness classes have a wide range of prices, from $9.99 a month to $499 for a year. There are often different subscription types, such as monthly or annually. Additionally, many online workout programs have tiered levels of subscriptions, offering additional features to the higher tiers. 

Online fitness classes are an excellent way to get in a great workout from the comfort of your home. Whether you're worried about rubbing sweaty elbows in a packed class or don't have the time to drive to the gym every day, in-home options are convenient for staying on top of your physical health and mental well-being. 

"Online fitness classes are less expensive than most gym memberships, give you one-on-one training, and are more accessible to you, allowing you to complete a workout when your schedule permits it," explains Hodges. Online classes don't offer the personal attention you'd get from in-person classes.

Shape looked at over 20 different online fitness classes. We disqualified some for not having clear billing information, not including certified personal trainers, and some were too niche (like a barre-only class).

We considered numerous factors when choosing the best online fitness classes. For example, we checked classes for certified personal trainers who are experts at instructing classes, whether the apps offered live classes and a variety of workouts, if it is easy to find the membership and class costs, and last if there was a customer service contact. 

Read the original article on Shape