When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Credit: Getty Images / Eugenio Marongiu
It’s the middle of winter, the temperature’s plummeted and it’s already dark when you finish work.
If you’re anything like me, it’s tempting to swap an evening stroll for a night on the sofa, and let your step count drop.
The good news is, I’ve found a way to still get my steps in without leaving the house—and it doesn’t involve finding the space for a home treadmill.
YouTube is bursting with follow-along walking workouts that can easily be done in small spaces without the need for fancy equipment, from short 1,000 step workouts to 10,000 step workouts that will take more than hour.
To see whether they could replace my usual evening walk, I tried some of the most popular walking workouts on YouTube.
Because I have a pair of 2kg weights at home, I added them into the mix too, although all the workouts can be done without them, or you can use tins of food or bottles of water.
If you’re looking for a fun alternative to outdoor walking that keeps you active, increases step count and helps build strength, these walking workouts are well worth a try. Here are three favourites.
Get Fit With Rick: 10 Minute Walk & Tone Workout
This workout from trainer Rick Bhullar is a beginner-friendly routine that you can do even when space is limited. Coming at you from a beautiful deck alongside the water, Bhullar guides you through a full-body workout using two 2kg weights.
The session alternates between 30 seconds of weighted moves, like triceps extensions and side punches, with marching on the spot. I loved how well-paced and varied this workout was—no exercises were repeated.
Bhullar offers guidance throughout, with options and adjustments so you can dial the intensity up or down depending on how you’re feeling.
In just 10-minutes, you’ll easily rack up over 1,000 steps, while also getting a mix of cardio and strength training in. It’s a great all-rounder when time is tight.
Schellea Fowler: 15-Minute Indoor Walking Workout
One of the most popular walking workouts on YouTube with more than 1.8 million views, this routine led by Schellea Fowler is low-impact and suitable for all levels.
Filmed from her home, Fowler’s workout combines simple movements with intervals of walking on the spot that will help you reach over 1,000 steps in just 15 minutes.
I added weights to increase the challenge, but the routine works just as well without them. Like Bhullar, Fowler offers modifications and options throughout so you can really tailor it to suit your fitness level.
It was her upbeat energy, positive attitude and music choices that really won me over though—she’s a ray of sunshine!—and it helped the workout fly by.
Workout With Jordan: 20 Minute Walk At Home With Weights
Another full-body routine, this time blending walking with strength and mobility work. The addition of mobility is unusual, although it makes sense when you realise the Workout With Jordan series is part of popular physical therapists Bob & Brad’s YouTube channel.
Jordan guides you through walking and dynamic stretching to get started, warming up the body before introducing bodyweight movements and then light weights to increase the intensity.
Expect a mix of side-steps, leg kicks, toe taps, lunges, shoulder presses, arm raises and marching—working multiple muscle groups at once, while getting your heart rate up to support cardio fitness.
This workout is longer than the others, and I was worried I’d get bored or that the pace would be too slow. I was wrong, though—the time went quickly and there was plenty of variety with a mix of bodyweight and weighted exercises keeping things interesting.
Shop dumbbells
CAP 1lb neoprene dumbbell
Bala Bars 1lb dumbbell set