You don't need the pricey pilates classes to obtain the body you want!

Why Home Yoga is better than boutique workout classes

Circa 2023, tired with being a bit fluffy around the edges, I decided I was going to start my fitness journey. I signed up for at a boutique fitness studio and stayed there for about a year. The monthly price (I blush to think about this now) started at $169 and at some point rose to $179. The studio was located on an extremely busy road about a 20-25 minute drive away from me. I don’t know why I was so committed and didn’t try to explore other, more inexpensive options first. In any case, they hooked me! A few pair of cute but pricey pilates socks later, along with the purchase of a few of their other cute but pricey activewear pieces, I was sold.

Now I look back at this time in my life as though I had joined a cult. Seriously, there are so many other inexpensive (and free!) ways to work out. I think a big reason as to why I bought the membership and was willing to pay the amount that I did was that it was so easy. You don’t have to think about the workout, you just show up and the instructor tells you what to do.

However…

YouTube workout videos do that too…

After a year of paying too much with too little payoff, I quit that studio. I now do YouTube videos at home from the comfort of my living room (accompanied by my dog). Here are my top three favorite YouTube yoga fitness instructors.

1) Yoga with Kassandra—I just love Kassandra’s calm aura and how she is usually fostering kittens and also has her own cat (or 2!) and a dog.

2) Yoga with Adriene—If Lorelai from Gilmore Girls was a yoga instructor. Seriously. Adriene is so much fun to take a class with. Also, her dog is really cute.

3) Charlie Follows—Her workouts are so peaceful and her accent is so nice to listen to. Most of her yoga classes are outdoors, which really lend such a tranquility and peace to the time you spend with her.

The best part about these yoga instructors is that their classes are free! You just have to get your yoga mat out and follow along. I also want to link a couple of useful Amazon products to help you get started in your more affordable fitness journey.

1) Non-slip yoga mat—A mat like this is great because it’s not too squishy (for when you’re doing tree pose!) and it will also prevent you from slipping if you sweat. It also will hold up to more wear n’ tear. If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, this non-slip mat is also a great option.

2) Bolster—I went through a period where I was only doing restorative yoga classes and most of these classes need a bolster to help you achieve the most relaxing and zen poses ever.

3) Yoga Blocks—If you have long legs like me or have trouble touching your toes (also like me), then yoga blocks really are a must. They are such a nice tool, too, for various yoga poses, so I really recommend investing in some.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

These three things are really all that I recommend you get in order to start doing at-home yoga workouts. Feel free to reach out with any questions!