Fitness

These Canadian Gyms Are Offering Free Live-Streaming Workouts

You can still get that sweat in, even while social distancing.

A woman tying her shoes in front of an exercise ball and free weights

(Photo: Getty Images)

With many gyms and studios closing up shop to adhere to social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, trainers and studios around the world are now taking to social media to livestream their workouts (meaning you can access them for up to 24 hours; some gyms are also saving the streams for later viewing)—for free.

While your regular gym may have been forced to shut down (some are even offering virtual classes in the hopes of staying afloat), free streaming allows those who, say, don’t have the means of investing in their health via boutique fitness and overpriced apps a sense of mental and physical relief. “It’s important for people to have something free like this to take their mind and body away from what’s going on in the world,” says Barry’s Bootcamp Canada instructor Kevin Yeboah.

Live streaming also provides a sense of community, something we most definitely need now. There’s nothing quite like following along with your favourite coaches in real time and giving out virtual high-fives.

Here are some of the Canadian gyms and fitness trainers that are offering free live streaming.

MISFITSTUDIO

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we've taken time to get clear get informed and we are choosing to keep both studios closed until march 22nd upon which we will reassess though we share this with a heavy heart we are choosing love over fear listening to our intuition approaching each decision with tenderness surrendering to the ever-shifting circumstances a real practice of the art of presence thank you thank you thank you for your support & patience remember movement is medicine we are all in this together learning how to remain calm and get comfortable riding the highs and lows stronger together for all of the updates regarding our closure including info on purchasing props and a lil class pack sale visit 🔗 in bio 🙏🏽 📷: @erinleydon

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Fans of MISFITSTUDIO’s unique exercise method—which combines elements of dance, yoga and Pilates—need not worry during these trying times! The studio will be offering free live classes on its Instagram account, so you can ensure you get ample face time with your favourite instructors from the comfort of your home. There are a whopping 10 classes on deck, which range from heart-pumping (for when you feel like you’re about to pull a Britney circa 2007) to totally chill (for when you’re craving a much needed break from the noise of the world).

Where to watch: @misfitstudio

When: Rotating schedule two to three times a day

Duration: 45 minutes to one hour

Equipment needed: A mat or towel. Squish balls and weighted balls are optional.

Common Ground 416

Sopearin Yos, owner of Toronto’s Common Ground 416, will be live streaming at-home workouts on his Instagram several times a week. If you follow Yos—and the army of models he trains—you’ll know that core, oblique and cardio-style exercises are his bread and butter. Expect tons of body-weight moves, like kick-sits and bear crawl taps, for an intense next-day burn.

Where to watch: @sopearin

When: Check his Instagram for an updated class schedule

Duration: 45 minutes to one hour

Equipment needed: A light set of weights is optional. If you don’t have any, Yos suggests household items like canned goods. (Don’t forget to wipe those down if you’ve picked them up from a grocery store recently!) Books can also be used as a makeshift step.

Barre Body Studio

Just because you don’t have an at-home barre doesn’t mean you can’t partake in a barre workout. Countertops, chairs and walls will do just fine! Until March 22, Calgary-based Barre Body Studio will be streaming a barre or mat-based workout every day for free on its Facebook page. (After March 22, Barre Body Studio will continue offering streamed workouts, albeit for $30/month via a private Facebook group.) Classes are suitable for all fitness levels and you don’t need prior barre experience to join in.

Where to watch: Barre Body Studio’s Facebook page

When: Wednesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. EST (7 p.m. MST) and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. EST (10 a.m. MST)

Duration: 30 to 50 minutes

Equipment needed: You’ll need a mat and a set of light weights is optional.

Lift Corktown

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💥 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 💥 • Hello again Lift'ers, After further discussion this morning, we have made the decision to close Lift as of ‪12pm today‬. Based on all recommendations and current information available, we feel this is the most social responsible course of action to follow the lead of other gyms and local businesses to help mitigate the spread. 🔪 • Apologies for the short notice, but there will be no noon class.  We will be around ‪until 5pm today‬ if anyone wants to come by and rent out a DB or KB. 🏋🏻‍♀️ • Programming will be provided daily on Open Gym in Wodify and will be DB and bodyweight movements.  We will also be posting an at home Power workout.💪🏼 • It's safe to assume we'll be closed at least two weeks until the week of ‪Mar 30‬ but will keep everyone posted as we get more information❗️ • Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you all for your understanding and cooperation. Lets combat this as a community together so we can get back into LIFT and SMASH the GaiNz train 🚂🚂🚂

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This beloved CrossFit gym may be closed during the outbreak, but its instructors are doing everything they can to ensure you smash those gains. Tune in every morning on Lift’s Instagram page for dumbbell and kettlebell (think deadlifts and rows) workouts led by its roster of talented coaches, including Nike Master Trainer Josh Adamson, who counts Shawn Mendes as a client.

Where to watch: @liftcorktown

When: Every day at 10 a.m. EST

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Equipment needed: Dumbbells and kettlebells.

6IX Cycle

If you’re looking for a burn that targets all the muscle groups that a gruelling spin class would, check out this Toronto studio’s Instagram. Owner Julie Harrish will be going live every day to host a floor-inspired version of her class 6IX Strong, which trades in heavy climbs and quick sprints on a bike for intense bursts of rhythm-based cardio and mini-band work. Trust, you probably won’t be able to get up or down stairs after a single session.

Where to watch: @6ix_cycle

When: Every day at 5:45 p.m. EST

Duration: 35 to 40 minutes

Equipment needed: A mini band for some added resistance, although Harrish says most of the workout can be done without one.

Formation Studio

If your cardio of choice entails dancing alone in your room to Lizzo then tune in to Formation Studio’s Instagram livestreams. This Vancouver studio will be streaming a variety of its dance-based classes for free, from freestyle classes (read: you can choose your own intensity) to sessions that incorporate resistance training to build endurance and strength. Instructors will also be teaching short choreographed routines.

Where to watch: @formationstudio_

When: Check the studio’s Instagram page for an updated class schedule.

Duration: From three (dance and stretch breaks) to 50 minutes (a full class).

Equipment needed: None! Although owner Saschie MacLean-Magbanua says viewers will be given an option to add in a pair of free weights for an added challenge. And yes, a wine bottle will do.

Kevin Yeboah and Hayley Steinberg

Ever wonder what really goes on at Barry’s Bootcamp? Canadian trainers Kevin Yeboah and Hayley Steinberg are offering viewers a glimpse into Red Room workouts, via a joint Instagram livestream. They’ll be following the studio’s class schedule, focusing on specific muscle groups and body parts each day of the week, with Sundays dedicated to rest.

Where to watch: @theyeboah or @haylesbeth

When: Every day at 10:45 a.m. EST, except Sunday.

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Equipment needed: Household items like steps and chairs, a set of dumbbells and a resistance band.

Fit Factory Fitness

Top trainers at this Toronto gym will be going live everyday (twice a day on weekdays; once a day on weekends) on their Instagram account to deliver full-body workouts that are sure to break you out in a sweat. These exercises require no equipment and are suitable for all fitness levels.

Where to watch: @fitfactoryto

When: 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST on weekdays; 12 p.m. EST on weekends.

Duration: 30 minutes

Equipment needed: None.

Fit Squad

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It is with extremely heavy hearts that we are announcing the temporary suspension of our facility operations until further notice. We at Fit Squad pride ourselves on the strength of our community. We have been so conflicted with our feelings to remain open to serve our members and to support our staff but are confident that in order to do so we must take a proactive response to the escalating situation regarding COVID-19. Although we do not have any reported cases of COVID-19 at Fit Squad, we are doing what we can to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. We will be updating everyone as things continue to evolve, but in the meantime make sure to check in with us for workouts and other things we will get up to while we wait to welcome you all back. We want to thank you for your understanding. Stay safe. Gabe, Aldo, Jenn 🖤

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They may have had to close down their beautiful new space due to the outbreak, but that’s definitely not stopping the coaches at Fit Squad. Tune in every weekday at noon for a bodyweight workout. Hot tip: You don’t want to miss Nike Master Trainer Jennifer Lau’s sessions. Trust us.

Where to watch:
@fitsquad_training

When: Weekdays at 12 p.m. EST.

Duration: 45 to 60 minutes

Equipment needed: None.

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