I used the SWEAT app

Kayla Itsines is a genius personal trainer who created the best work out on demand. 

image from the SWEAT website

The Sweat App is something I’ve actually used on and off for years. Kayla is a personal trainer in Australia and her brand has grown a lot over the years. It started as just her HIIT workout series called Bikini Body Guide (which has since been rebranded.)

The basic set-up: The program asks you what your primary fitness goal is: lose weight, gain muscle, get stronger, get fitter, get flexible, or rebuild fitness post-pregnancy. Then it asks whether you will be working out at home, at the gym, or outdoors. The program then recommends which program will be best for you. The programs include HIIT (high intensity interval training), strength, cardio, yoga, barre, post-pregnancy, and pilates. 

Each program sets up a calendar so you can go for a walk a few days, do a class from the program a few days, etc. It also gives food and snack recommendations that you could meal prep on. 

The workouts are set up to be short-- 15-45 minutes long. No matter how crazy your week is, you can factor in a few of these workouts to get a *sweat* in. 

What I liked: I liked that I could just rely on myself to get a great work out in. The program is also set to start off easier so you focus on your form and gets harder. I’ve personally done yoga and HIIT workouts on this app and both make me sweat. I found the HIIT workouts to be really hard, (even the beginner weeks) so you have to motivate yourself to keep going through that set, even when you’re tired. Thankfully, you can connect your music streaming account which always helps and Sweat has playlists you can use! 

The app gives you recommendations for meal prepping and great recipes! For example, todays gives you peanut butter & jelly smoothie for breakfast, fruit toast with pear for a snack, bean and salad wrap for lunch, crispbreads with cottage cheese and chives for an afternoon snack, and mushroom & tomato frittata with garden salad for dinner. I love that Kayla encourages clean eating. Kayla's sister is actually a great cook and will post on Instagram all the great things she is making. They are of Greek descent and have clung onto the love of fresh vegetables. As you can tell from the meal plan for today, they do not encourage you to starve yourself or avoid yummy foods. They take all the guess work out by providing the recipes and even include a couple snacks! 

The planner in the app is huge for me. Scheduling my workouts (and recovery day stretches) is the one thing I can do that will actually make me do the workout and make it a priority. The calendar also tracks your steps so all your fitness measurements are kept in one place. The calendar will give you a category of workout (if yoga, it may be resistance) and then let you choose from three types of workouts that qualify as that category. 

Lastly, the app has an education section which has tons of great information about exercises, nutrition, and where anyone can ask a question that is answered by anyone in the community. These can be really helpful as you’re reframing how you are going to eat and what workouts you do now and how you are going to change your lifestyle on your fitness journey. 

When I was swamped in school, I did the yoga classes every day and not only did I get stronger and more flexible, I felt a lot less stressed about all the other things going on too. I do the Body and Mind with Sjana Elise for yoga. For me, getting to switch between the programs (on days I’m feeling it, doing a HIIT workout and days I’m not clocking in a walk or a yoga session) made a huge difference in being consistent and getting up and going. Also, being at home was so nice because I could watch a 20 minute episode and then actually get up and do a yoga class whereas if I’d had to drive across town I probably would not have the motivation to get up. 

Rating: 10/10- The Sweat App is a great workout, wherever you want to do it and on demand. Kayla will kick your booty and get you into shape quick if you let her! She has thought of it all from every type of exercise you could be looking for, thoroughly thought out programs and calendaring features, and healthy meal prepping that is not restrictive and includes snacks!