This year, during a national lockdown that shut down the entire country, at-home workouts have experienced an unprecedented boom. With gyms out of action, YouTube, Instagram, and live-streamed sessions took center stage, with retailers selling out of home gym equipment quicker than you can say 'burpee'.
One trainer trying to keep the nation fit at home is Lucy Wyndham-Read, personal trainer and creator of the seven-minute home workout that's racked up over 79 million views. 79,072,619 to be precise. (That's a causal 76 million more than home workout king Joe Wicks, by the way.)
Designed to 'strengthen, tone and sculpt' stomach muscles, Wyndham-Read created the workout to help people stay fit at home through a mixture of strength training and cardiovascular exercises.
What is the workout?
Made up of seven exercises performed for 60-seconds each with a 10-second break in between, the workout is a mix of cardio and strength training moves.
One of the reasons Wyndham-Read made the workout so short is to encourage people to work at a higher intensity for a short period of time, rather than slogging through a longer session that feels like a mammoth undertaking.
'Short workouts are always doable as no matter how busy we are, we can always find the time to squeeze in a few minutes,' she told us, adding that the shorter the workout, the easier it is to keep going when you want to quit.
Doing the workout
Ok, hands up who hasn't stretched for months?
Well, I haven't and this was made abundantly clear in the first move Wyndham-Read had me do – straight-legged kicks.
With my hamstrings all but screaming, the first 60-seconds weren't the most enjoyable.
However, the exercises to come – pendulum swings, walkouts, skater lunges, split-stance knee drives, side bends, and bicycle crunches –were all familiar and doable. At the end you're taken through a short cool down.
With most of my flat working from home and everyone using the kitchen table as their "office", I only had the area between my bed and the wall to get a sweat on – which actually turned out to be more than enough space. There were no moves that required masses of room and I didn't bump into anything while moving. #Win.
There's no music, something Wyndham-Read addresses, advising you to do the workout with the sound on for the first couple of days and then, once you're comfortable, muting the video and whacking on your favourite playlist.
Final verdict
If you're a beginner, committing to seven minutes everyday is realistic and achievable: all the moves are bodyweight, require no extra equipment and will get you comfortable with a mix of movement patterns – lower, upper, full body and core, as well as building up your stamina.
Wyndham-Read suggests doing it for seven days on the trot, no rest day needed. And, as a regular motivator, doing seven minutes each day would definitely help routine-shy people get into a groove and build confidence as they become familiar with the exercises.
However, if you're used to working out regularly and have a solid base level of fitness, this workout will feel more like a warm-up. That said, performed with speed and intention, you'll get your heart rate up and body prepared for whatever session you have ahead.
I didn't find it challenging enough to slate as a standalone workout but if I was in a pinch and needed something quick to tick off every morning and get moving, it would be a great option. Less than 10-minutes to get my blood pumping and some endorphins cooking? Yeah, I'm about that.
Shop these WH approved exercise mats for your next home workout
Lions Non-Slip Yoga Mat
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
Sweaty Betty Eco Yoga Mat
Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Morgan Fargo is a freelance beauty and wellness editor. Her CV includes Women's Health Magazine UK (and sister publication Women's Health Australia), Stylist Magazine and more.
