Our top 5 lazy girl workouts
Because sometimes we’d much rather be watching Netflix…
Let’s be honest, there’s nothing wrong with being a self-proclaimed lazy girl.
Sometimes our energy levels are low after a hard day’s work. Sometimes, we just want to watch Netflix and get cozy in bed. And sometimes, we just cannot be bothered going to the gym because we’ve got better things to do.
Of course, there’s a lot of benefits associated with regularly taking part in vigorous exercise. But the pressure of it - especially if you’ve made health + fitness one of your resolutions for 2023 - means its often difficult to find the time, space and energy to squeeze in a proper workout. That’s ok!
Luckily a movement is upon us. Coined the “lazy girl workout” there’s actually a type of exercise geared toward folk (like me) who don’t necessarily feel drawn to high-intensity activities. Having evolved during the pandemic when we were all quarantining in our rooms, a wealth of fitness YouTubers are now making content that caters to low-intensity, low-effort fitness. Yay!
Low impact workouts- the type where you never have to get up from your yoga mat- are actually said to be a great way to improve your health. What’s more, you can gradually build up workouts as you get used to each exercise. And, what’s not to love about workouts that you can do from the comfort of your own home?
Here’s five “lazy girl” workouts that you could try today…
Daisy Keech’s Quarantine Bubble Butt Workout
Introducing us to a host of donkey kicks, bent knee kicks and leg circles, this is as low-intensity as exercise can get. This 13-minute workout by fitness vlogger Daisy Keech has amassed a whopping 34 million views on YouTube --- meaning there’s a lot of “lazy girl workout” fans out there. Who would’ve guessed?!
What’s great about Keech’s workout is that you don’t have to stand up for any of it. What’s even better is that there’s brief intervals between each exercise and you never do longer than 30 seconds of each movement. LOVE!
We’ve broken down the routine for those who don’t have time to watch the entire video.
Donkey Kicks (15 reps each leg)
Donkey Kick Pulse (15 reps each leg)
Fire Hyrants (15 reps each leg)
Rainbow kicks (15 reps each leg)
Leg circles (30 seconds each leg)
Small circles (30 seconds each leg)
Side fire hydrants (30 seconds each leg)
Bent Knee circles (30 seconds each leg)
Reverse knee cirlces (30 seconds each leg)
Knee tops (30 seconds each leg)
* Disclaimer - this one will burn!
Daisy also reminds viewers to love their bodies no matter what. “Flat butts are cute too so don’t feel bad about it” she says as she urges fans to listen to their bodies and understand what works for them.
MadFit’s 15 MIN FULL BODY - Slow & On The Floor (Low Impact)
What Maddie’s 15-minute full-body workout focuses on is maintaining slow and controlled movements. She explains that its actually a great way to slowly start your day, or also wind down in the evening.
This mat-based workout centers on inner thigh lifts, glute bridges and a collection of slow movements that still engage your muscles. It means that you’re still going to feel the burn even though your heartrate isn’t up.
I discovered MadFit a few years ago and have been sporadically following Canadian fitness coarch Maddie Lymburner ever since. Prior to finding YouTube fame, Maddie worked at a health food shop and performed as a professional dancer. Both of these past experiences have helped Maddie develop her fitness videos into straightforward, yet engaging workouts with a twist.
15-Minute Lazy-Girl Booty Workout | Class FitSugar
PopSugar is another YouTube fitness chanel that I’ve followed for a long time. What’s great about this platform is that it invites a number of super-popular specialist fitness trainers into the studio to teach their classes to viewers. It means that there’s plenty of awesome content from tabata, pilates and barre for you to explore.
This class, in particular, features pilates coach Jake Dupree as he hosts a 15-minute fitness class that targets our glutes. The FitSugar classes always include at least two “students” who will perform variations of each movement for those who need to adjust the movement to their fitness level.
VICKY JUSTIZ LAZY GIRL Full Body WORKOUT - 7 min. (NO JUMPING)
A large part of this 7 minute, low-intensity practice by Vicky Justiz can actually be done in bed. Now that’s what I like to hear. What’s more, there’s no jumping meaning it’s the perfect workout for apartment-dwelling “lazy girls” who just want a bit of movement after a long day at work.
This workout combines exercises for our legs and abs as well as upper body work that helps to tone our arms and shoulder muscles. Vicky is a no-nonsense personal trainer who gets to the point and encourages you along the way. Thousands of loyal fans have expressed their approval of this simple, low-intensity workout.
Kayla Itsines 14 Minute Ab Workout
If you’ve tried the previous four exercises and need a liiiiittttllllleee bit more burn, then this is for you. Kayla Itsines is an Australian fitness guru that’s been creating workout videos on social media for years. Her tried and tested methods are a huge hit across the world.
Here, Kayla Itsines partners with Women’s Health Magazine to create this 14-minute express ab workout that caters to low-intensity, low-effort workout routines. The entire workout centers of isometric and dynamic core exercises that target your abs. Set out in three “supersets,” Kayla gradually increases the intensity of the movements to help you stabilize deep muscles.
Each 60-second round includes a 15-second rest period, but you’re still going to be feeling the burn at the end.
The bottom line…
Feeling a little more inspired to get moving the “lazy girl” way? Most importantly, listen to your own body. Start slow, explore the videos we’ve mentioned above and see what works for you. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with having a “lazy girl” moment whenever you feel like it.
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