Here's a secret: Many top home fitness celebrities post free workouts on YouTube. But of the more than 600,000 videos that come up when searching for "fitness workouts," which is the best?

I looked past the muscle and the rippling physiques of the most popular fitness channels to put together this guide of who to follow and who to forgo (without critiquing their methods or effectiveness), so you know what to expect and can choose the right workouts for your goals. Read on.



FITNESS BLENDER

Channel: FitnessBlender
Trainer: Daniel and Kelli Segars
139,444 subscribers; 19,896,040 views

Fitness Blender is one of the easiest fitness channels to navigate and understand. Unlike other channels, it does not force you to leave YouTube in order to access full workouts. With* descriptive titles such as "Fitness Blender Fast Abs: 8 Minutes Abs Workout," you know exactly what you are getting.

During full workout videos, each upcoming move is demonstrated in the top left corner of the screen, while a timer counts down to the transition. No scrambling to do your best sleeping bunny yoga pose while trying to watch the screen. Voiceover instruction is simple and straightforward; some videos feature voiceover narration by the instructor who is performing the workout.

These videos focus on educating, not entertaining. The production quality is excellent, and the backdrop is plain. Workouts range from five minutes to 90, and are targeted at all fitness levels. All of Fitness Blender's content is free of charge.

"We started Fitness Blender because we are incredibly passionate about health and fitness, and we want to share it with others. Health is not something that should be out of reach for anyone, and we work very hard to make it accessible to everyone," say founders Daniel and Kelli Segars.

The Segars' website, FitnessBlender.com, contains all of the full workout videos featured on their YouTube channel, plus the workout routines in printable format, along with individual exercises demonstration videos. All of the videos can be filtered by type, difficulty, target muscle group and keyword. The site even offers eight-week weight-loss and boot-camp programs, complete with diet advice and grocery lists -- all free of charge.

OUR TAKE: For beginners, the brief instruction may be difficult to follow, but after a few uses viewers will benefit from Fitness Blender. This simple channel makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for, without the hype or unrealistic promises.

BeFit

Channel: BeFit
Trainer: Jillian Michaels, Denis Austin, Jane Fonda and more
250,141 subscribers; 36,186,893 views

BeFit is a collaboration of fitness superstars, including Jane Fonda and Jillian Michaels, featuring full workouts that were once available only on DVD. The location and setting of the videos depends on the trainer, but all feature high-quality production, usually set in a fitness studio. Background music and mood varies.

Workouts include bodyweight, pilates, yoga and dance, but moderate-to-heavy resistance training is lacking. Videos are organized by trainer and program category, such as "30 Day 6 pack Abs Workouts," "Hip Hop Dance Workouts," and "Dancing with the Stars Workouts." Trainers Scott Herman and Cassie Ho are featured in many videos.

BeFit also contains several full 30- and 90-day programs, which makes following a complete program very easy. Plus, the instruction is clear and quick. What's more, diet and wellness advice can be found under the You Asked For It section, where several trainers answer viewer questions.

OUR TAKE:* If you enjoy DVD workouts by celebrity trainers like Jillian Michaels, BeFit will be a natural fit.



POP PILATES

Channel: Blogilates
Trainer: Casey Ho
336,571 subscribers; 31,878,398 views

Winner of YouTube's Next Trainer program and creator of the POP Pilates DVD, fitness instructor Cassey Ho puts the pop in Pilates. Her fitness channel, Blogilates, focuses on making fitness fun. Her credentials are impressive, too. Fitness Magazine named her Best Healthy Living Blogger in 2012, and wellness website Sharecare named her one of the most influential online fitness personalities (second only to Jillian Michaels).

In her videos, she works out with the viewer, often demonstrating modifications for beginners. Cassey likes to incorporate unique outdoor settings, such as parks and scenic rooftops. Her videos feature excellent production values and keep the accompanying pop music at an appropriate background level, so users can hear her instruction. Cassey's upbeat style is not for those who desire cut-and-dry instruction, however. Occasionally, she will use voiceover narration if the moves are too strenuous to perform and teach simultaneously.

Her videos are Pilates-centric and average 10 to 15 minutes in length. Cassey's workouts rarely require additional equipment and are great for busy people. Nutrition advice and healthy recipes can be found on a related YouTube channel, BlogilatesTV. Her videos feature full workouts, while exercise programs and meal plans are available to subscribers on her website.

OUR TAKE:* Try Blogilates if you want a free, flexible, low-impact workout in the comfort of your home.

SCOOBY'S HOME BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS WORKOUTS*

Channel: scooby1961
Trainer: Scooby Werkstatt
326,263 subscribers; 174,487,937 views

Scooby1961, another blog-based fitness channel, is hosted by long-time fitness buff Scooby Werkstatt. He focuses on strength and muscle-building exercises -- you won't find any Pilates here! Scooby's Workshop (as his channel is also known) is full of bodybuilding information, including some of the most detailed instruction you can find online. Werkstatt performs exercises in real time and always performs them shirtless. Why? *"To show I practice what I preach! Would you trust my advice as much if I didn't keep myself in top shape all year long?" he says on his website.

Looking at this buff 51-year-old, it's hard to question his technique. Werkstatt has completed Ironman half-triathlons, biked 200 miles, and is building an airplane in his garage (but that's another story).

The simple fitness videos are filled with corny humor and filmed at his home; there's no background music. One major bonus: Werkstatt hosts weekly office hours, during which he will Skype with viewers, answering questions and giving advice. On YouTube, users will usually find single exercise demonstrations. Full workout plans can be found on the website, along with diet advice, calorie calculators, and his "Hall of Shame," a list of fitness products that Werkstatt considers "deceitful and outrageous."

All content is free. "There are no 'members-only' sections or newsletters to buy; it's my way of giving back to the sport that has given me so much," he says.

OUR TAKE:*For those who want to build muscle but don't know where to start, Scooby's Workshop is worth a look.

MIKE CHANG'S SIXPACK SHORTCUTS*

Channel: sixpackshortcuts
Trainer: Mike Chang
1,112,550 subscribers; 171,844,719 views

You've probably seen ads on YouTube touting "one weird trick for muscle growth." Most of them point to Mike Chang's Sixpack Shortcuts. The muscular Chang, a self-described former "chubby kid," shares the tricks he learned while sculpting his ripped physique.

You'll have to pay nearly $100 for that "one weird trick," but viewers can find several free workouts as well as diet and exercise tips on his YouTube fitness channel. Unfortunately, the channel also contains many promotional videos that link to his website, SixpackShortcuts.com, urging viewers to purchase his DVDs.

Chang, who has more subscribers than any other trainer on YouTube, offers some great advice and instruction -- if you can ignore hype like "5 min. belly fat destroyer." Additionally, he provides many useful tips for beginners on avoiding common workout mistakes. His videos often require dumbbells and are filmed on many locations, most commonly inside his small studio-like workout space. He does not provide any background music and gets straight to the instruction, working out with the viewer. Chang often includes friends who have used his program to demonstrate moves, plus the occasional celebrity.


OUR TAKE:*Mike Chang's full workout videos are very helpful, especially for the beginner... once you find them.

SCOTT HERMAN FITNESS

Channel: scotthermanfitness
Trainer: Scott Herman
286,777 subscribers; 70,983,691 views

The Scott Herman Fitness channel mixes workout videos and a blog. Trainer Scott Herman's videos are not always clearly organized, but useful categories include: Abdominal Exercises, Ask Scott and Sean, and Dumbbell and Barbell Exercise Demonstrations.

Many videos demonstrate a single exercise. Instruction is clear, but most routines require lots of equipment. His channel contains very little nutrition or diet advice. Herman does not offer any full programs, either. His website, ScottHermanFitness.com, offers much more information, including routines and meal plans, to paying members. Membership costs from $5 to $13 per month. He focuses on resistance training and films most of his videos in the gym without any background music.

OUR TAKE:*For tips and tricks, Scott Herman Fitness works as a good compliment to a strength-training routine, but for a full plan you will need to pay and subscribe to the full site.

Tags: Since You Asked, Dumbbells, Exercise Videos, Yoga Mats
See Our Recommendations

Dumbbells
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fdu mbbells" class="or-item-toc or-item-toc-best"/> Top *Best Reviewed
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fdu mbbells%2Fhow-to-buy-dumbbells" class="or-item-toc"/> What To Look For
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fno de%2F970041%2Fcompare" class="or-item-toc"/> Compare Dumbbells
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fno de%2F" class="or-item-toc"/> Full Report



Exercise Videos
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fex ercise-video-reviews" class="or-item-toc or-item-toc-best"/> Top 7*Best Reviewed
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fex ercise-video-reviews%2Fhow-to-buy-an-exercise-video" class="or-item-toc"/> What To Look For
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fex ercise-video-reviews%2Fcompare" class="or-item-toc"/> Compare Exercise Videos
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fex ercise-video-reviews%2Freview" class="or-item-toc"/> Full Report



Yoga Mats
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fyo ga-mats" class="or-item-toc or-item-toc-best"/> Top 4*Best Reviewed
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fyo ga-mats%2Fhow-to-buy-a-yoga-mat" class="or-item-toc"/> What To Look For
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fyo ga-mats%2Fcompare" class="or-item-toc"/> Compare Yoga Mats
  • <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc9 24805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.consumersearch.com%2Fyo ga-mats%2Freview" class="or-item-toc"/> Full Report