As I sit here, with sweat pouring down my face, my body feeling worked over, and my legs and arms and legs completely useless — dagnabbit, I feel good.
Actually, more than good. I feel great. Even though my rubbery limbs have been utterly defeated, I think I could still sprint across a football field (IF I had to chase down Keanu). This is what it’s like to do a workout with fitness trainer Sydney Cummings on YouTube. At the end, you’re completely spent, but your spirit is totally energized.
I’ve been doing Sydney’s videos for a couple weeks, and I’m hooked!
Let’s do some bear crawls, girl!
Sydney’s a certified personal trainer, a nutrition specialist and a former university high jumper, and her workouts are THE BEST I’ve found on YouTube.
She posts a new workout every day (!), and there are dozens to choose from. Every session is different, which keeps them interesting and always makes them a challenge. She does a combination of HIIT (high-intensity interval training), bodyweight (exercises that use your own weight to provide resistance against gravity), cardio, stretching, and weights workouts, and every one — whether it’s 30, 40 50 or 60 minutes long — leaves me dripping in sweat and feeling strong and accomplished.
The videos — not gonna lie — are definitely challenging, but Sydney often shows modified versions of specific movements for newbies (which I appreciate, because some days I need to take it down a level). She also thoroughly describes how to position your body and what your muscles should feel like as you move through each exercise.
The time flies, too. The workouts are over quickly because you’re working hard at a decent clip, usually with 15-30 seconds of rest every 30-45 second burst of hard effort. I did a 50-minute boot camp style video this morning, and even though it REALLY challenged me (bear crawls!) from start to finish, it was like I blinked, and it was over. I never feel like the classes drag on because they keep you moving.
Just crushed this one!
Most of all, I really appreciate Sydney’s positive, upbeat style. She’s positive, but not, like, in an overly perky faux saccharine sweet way, and she pushes you hard, but it makes you believe you can push through those last few reps, even when your limbs are quivering like salt shakers.
Even though I’m just in my living room when I do the videos, usually at some obscene time in the morning, I feel like Sydney is with me, personally guiding me and encouraging me to push through my limits.
I was so sore the day after doing this mini band workout…
My favorite workouts so far have been her bodyweight-only ones, which don’t require any equipment, but they are still BRUTAL (in the best possible way). You get high calorie-burning bang for your buck. Lots of calories burned in a short time.
I also like the total body workouts she does with compound weights, where you’re lifting weights to push one part of your body while working the other parts at the same time. For example, doing biceps curls while lunging. Those workouts combine weights and cardio because everything is constantly moving.
Even though I’m the least flexible person in the world, I still enjoyed this.
Her stretch workouts are also great. They leave my legs and arms all loosey-goosey (and that’s coming from a girl who can barely touch her toes on a good day).
Give one of her workouts a try. I think you’ll like them.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I’m packing for a quick trip this weekend! We’re visiting Hearst Castle for my birthday. I’ve never been before.
I hope I don’t get lost in one of the secret rooms.
I’ll check her out! I also love Melissa Bender and Christine Salus on YouTube – they are intense!
Angela | BlushandPearls.com
Christine Salus is great!
I haven’t tried a Melissa Bender one yet; do you have a video that you particularly like to do?
Sorry, totally unrelated to workouts, but have you watched Always Be My Maybe on Netflix? Keanu’s only in it about 20 minutes but what a great 20 minutes it is. Loved it! And now… back to working out. Thanks for the links, I’m off to try the 20 minute stretching one.
Hi Joyce!
Yes, I did! I really enjoyed it and will probably watch it again (and perhaps I’ll watch Keanu walking in slow motion more than a few times, ha ha ha).
Let me know what you think of the stretch video. I should probably do one today!
Also totally unrelated to workout, but I, too, was wondering if you watched Always Be My Maybe this past week on Netflix. I was dying to know if you decided to go to the premier in San Francisco, in hopes of meeting Keanu. I was hoping a bunch of people would mistake you for Ali Wong, like you said, and I thought surely you would not pass up a chance to see your dream man in person. I will check out the video channel, though!
Hi Daphne,
I didn’t end up going! Connor had a double ear infection so Keanu (if he was there, I’m not sure if he was) will just have to wait another time to meet me. LOL
He was great in that movie and DAYUM those glasses were working for him.
How did you like the movie? I enjoyed it very much and parts of it really resonated with me.
I thought the movie was very cute. I love both Ali Wong and Randall Park, and I thought Keanu was hillarious, and a very good sport for doing such a craaazy exaggerated version of himself (I hope). Glad to see him doing more movies, and I hope Netflix continues to do the rom-coms. So sorry you did not get to go – hope Connor Claire is feeling better!
Thanks for the recommendation! I’m always looking for new fitness videos on YouTube. I much prefer working out at home than going to the gym. If you’re looking for a super fun workout, check out The Fitness Marshall!
Thank you for posting those workouts – I saved three of them!
Enjoy your weekend. I’m leaving for Prague next Friday – so excited.
I’m terrified but I’m going to try it!! Always looking to switch things up. Thanks for posting!
I have always done the workouts on the Popsugar channel and I have an online subscription to Barre 3. I’ll have to add this to my list!
I love that you posted this, as I, too, am someone who works out at home. I kinda sorta totally despise HiiT workouts (all of that jumping makes my feet hurt), but I love resistance training and kickboxing. Cathe Friedrich and Kelly Coffey-Meyer are my absolute favorites!
I don’t believe either are on YouTube, but they offer streaming services on their websites for a reasonable monthly fee.
Okay mom. I’ll check it out.
I also love YogabyCandace on youtube. She sometimes has a HIIT offering but its usually super short.
Is the little miss going with you guys?
I am super excited to be having a happy hour with the girls after a hair appointment tomorrow. We haven’t all been out together in months and months and months.
I never really know where to put my laptop when trying to workout to a you tube video. On the floor and I can’t see it if I’m doing an upright move, on a table and I can’t see it when I’m down on the mat. And I’m afraid to knock it over and kill it. Not to mention I don’t think I have a room in this house big enough for me to workout it without bumping into furniture. Lol.
Have fun at Hearst Castle. I haven’t been there since the weekend Dear Husband proposed. I want an indoor swimming pool like the one there. Actually, I want all the Heart Castle pools.
Have a great birthday weekend! ??I will check out Sydneys channel thanks! I started a 28 day blogilates challenge this week as im starting to work out at home after foot fractures. Oh my muscles are sore lol
Hi Diana,
I’m sorry to hear about your foot fractures. Are you still (or were you in a boot)? In either case I hope you’re feeling a little better.
I like the Blogilates channel too, especially the abs and core videos. She has a 10 minute abs video that I can barely do (seriously, it’s tough), but I struggle through it any way in the hopes that one day I’ll be able to. If you have any fave workouts please send me the links!
Ooh, thanks for the tip, Karen! Will check her channel out. Does she have low impact cardio? I can’t do high impact these days due to my ol’ knees, sadly. Am loving all the suggestions in the comments as well. ENJOY your birthday getaway, beautiful! So you’re a Gemini like one of my sisters? Ah figures. We would make wonderful friends but not-great dates, lol! (mind you, I don’t let the stars rule me but ya know, some of it has proven to ring true to me…)
Thank you so much for posting this! I’m totally trying some. I hope you love Hearst Castle and have a wonderful birthday! My parents went a couple of years ago and liked it. I had recommended a bunch of things for them to do when they decided to fly out and drive down the CA coast. This was one. I was very jealous since I’ve never been either. They brought home a magnet for me. 🙂