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Welcome to Racked's Fitness Week: five days of workout coverage to kick your New Year's resolutions off right.
Photo via YouTube
If paying out for classes or a gym membership seems like a bummer, consider entering the big, wide world of YouTube fitness channels. It's a whole lot less of a time and money commitment, plus, these lessons are portable—all you need is an internet connection, a mat and some willpower. Our edited selection of the top ten YouTube fitness channels, organized by the type of fitness goal you set for yourself this year, is after the jump.—Erika Graham
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I want to look like a Bond girl."
Solution: K's Perfect Fitness TV
Kristen, the London-based personal trainer behind the videos, has a playlist explicitly dedicated to James Bond-themed workouts. (You'll find a goldmine of videos with titles like "Live and Let Sweat," "Thunderbutt," and "Cardio Royale"). Beyond that, there's a well-organized, extensive collection of videos based on targeted areas of body improvement, and a bonus section dedicated to answering our most burning questions, like: "When Will I See My Abs??"
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I'll work out more... if I can find the extra time."
Solution: Lauren Hefez
Lauren films practically all of her videos using the space in her own apartment, finding cans and water bottles to use as weights for her routines. Each video is themed around maximizing workout time in the midst of everyday life, like exercises to do in the kitchen while you're waiting for your food to cook, or an indoor "Snow Day" workout.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I want to master more than the 'downward dog' pose in yoga this year."
Solution: Tara Stiles
This Deepak Chopra-endorsed yogi master compiled a series of videos on YouTube that'll get you trained in complicated handstand maneuvers in no time flat. Plus, one of the playlists is devoted entirely to yoga in hotel rooms, so you'll never have to skip a day.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "What's yoga? Maybe I should try that."
Solution: Yogasync.tv
Guys and girls, old and young—everyone's got an yoga instructional video fit for them on this YouTube channel. Lots of gentle beginner videos make this the go-to spot for those looking to dip their toes into yoga workouts this year.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "Exercise videos led by industry celebrities—that will keep me motivated."
Solution: Lionsgate BeFit
Let Jillian Michaels, Denise Austin, Jane Fonda, Bryan Tanaka and more guide you on your journey to better fitness this year, all without paying for anything more than internet service. From dance to Pilates to office workouts to a Coachella survival guide, the playlists on this channel are packed with celebrity-laden videos to keep your exercise routines fresh and interesting well past the end of January.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I want to make a complete lifestyle change this year."
Solution: Sarah Fit
She's blond, she's bubbly, and she has no fear when it comes to letting her viewers into every part of her life in order to make healthy changes in their own lives. Alongside the usual spread of short videos targeting different areas of the body, there's specific videos of everything from Sarah's daily morning routine to Instagram diaries of what she eats in a day.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I need to get myself a personal trainer."
Solution: FitnessBlender
The husband-and-wife duo behind this channel are all about a comprehensive step-by-step guide to each exercise. Each video is clear, well-produced, and focused on wringing the most calories out of every repetition. And, a little extra digging in the playlists will produce some pretty unique exercises, like one full-body workout that utilizes a puppy in each of the moves.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "I've tried before and haven't stuck with it, but this year is going to be the year I actually do."
Solution: My Trainer Bob
Bob Harper (of The Biggest Loser fame) isn't messing around on his YouTube channel. The description needs no further explanation: "I want to Challenge [sic] all of AMERICA and the rest of the world to take charge of their lives and I NEED YOUR HELP!! Together we WILL make a difference. Get everyone you know on board with my challenges TODAY!!" You can feel him pointing fingers right through the screen at your weak form.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "If I could get Ryan Gosling's trainer, then I'd stick with it."
Solution: Ashley Borden Fitness
Hollywood fitness consultant Ashley Borden has been looked to as a leading expert in her field, and she has the accolades to show for it. Her YouTube channel is a one-stop shop of all of her online fitness videos, press engagements, and program collaborations with brands including Livestrong Women and the Cooking Channel—providing endless ways to get her clients' same results for free.
Photo via YouTube
New Year's resolution: "In order to make this work, I need to try a type of exercise I've never tried before."
Solution: Howcast SportsFitness
The Howcast series of YouTube channels is an endless supply of informational videos on everything from how to twerk to how to make friendship bracelets. However, the Howcast SportsFitness channel is what will be most useful here—on it, you'll find dozens of video lessons for Wing Chun, Parkour, Krav Maga, and more.
· Why Is Crossfit So Popular Right Now? [Racked]
· All Fitness Week 2014 Coverage [Racked]