The 34 coolest online workouts that you can do from home during COVID-19

Joel Olson • April 19, 2020

1. Fitness Blender: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos

This husband and wife team’s websites contain a plethora of workouts. Workouts contain a total body, strength, pilates, kickboxing. The workouts contain a variety of different options for time, so its something you can use regardless of how much time you have. They also have some paid options for some more custom plans.

2. Do Yoga with Me: https://www.doyogawithme.com/yoga-classes

The majority of the classes are filmed outdoors in BC. Do Yoga with me, contains yoga classes for all different levels. It also has options for kids as young as two years old and a section for seniors. Another added feature is they have a lot of yoga videos that target specific areas that you may want to target.

3. Orange Theory Fitness: https://www.orangetheory.com/en-us/athome/

This science-based workout around getting your heart rate to go through several different zones to achieve maximum results has “At-Home” workouts that contain cardio and strength training. All of the workouts contain options for household objects you can use for the weight component.

4. Upside-Down Pilates:

https://www.youtube.com/user/jefforig/videos

Video workouts here contain various pilates workouts for all levels. Workouts are designed for at home, or even when traveling. Many of the workouts are quite short, and there is also some to go with foot injuries.

5. HASfit:

https://www.youtube.com/user/KozakSportsPerform

This particular workout channel has videos designed for all types of fitness goals. There are great videos for HITT, Dumbell, and also age-specific classes for seniors and teenagers for working out.

6. BodyArt: https://www.bodyart-studios.com/take-class

BodyArt was designed by Ryan Daniel Beck, a choreographer, it combines Yoga, Dance, Mindfulness, and Strength Traning. They hold live classes on Facebook at 7amPSt, and Instagram at 4:30Pst for free.

7. Rumble: https://www.instagram.com/p/B92fcZfHPHJ/

Rumble, a popular boxing studio, hosts daily Instagram live classes with Cardio and Bodyweight Workouts. Classes vary in times, so best to check their schedule daily.

8. Rowhouse: https://www.facebook.com/rowhousego/

Rowhouse is exactly like it sounds. A workout with rowing machines. They are hosting daily facebook lives classes for free. Some workouts require a mat and some small weights.

9. Barry’s Bootcamp: https://www.instagram.com/barrys/

The popular fitness gym combines weight training and treadmill work. Daily they are broadcasting Instagram live sessions with trainers from around the world. They have also opened up an online store to allow you to order anything you need to work out from home- most of their classes are bodyweight though.

10. Ta Bo Fitness: www.youtube.com/channel/UCMGIp3jifsoufZv_y8_c1Qg

These free workout videos combine cardio and martial arts. The workout claims to burn up to 120 calories per workout and last in length from 30 minutes to one hour.

11: 567 Broadway: https://www.567broadway.com/

This is a musical workout to your favorite Broadway shows. All workouts have cardio and strength training and the are currently free on youtube.

12. Box and Flow: https://www.instagram.com/boxandflow/

Box and Flow combines boxing and yoga into one workout. They are currently streaming free classes via Instagram Live at various times throughout the day.

13. Fhitting Room on Demand: https://ondemand.fhittingroom.com/

The fhitting room offers HITT workouts with strength building through Kettlebells. You can currently receive a free 30 day trial for on-demand workouts.

14. Mayweather Boxing and Fitness: https://mayweather.fit/

Currently they are offering free Instagram workouts with cardio and boxing. They also have several ongoing challenges that you can be involved in.

15. Spartan Unbreakable: https://life.spartan.com/tag/be-unbreakable

Designed by the Spartan Company responsible for the Spartan Events, they are currently uploading a family workout for every day. The site also has quite a bit of content around fitness, nutrition, and relationships.

16. 9Round: https://www.facebook.com/9RoundOfficial/

The popular kickboxing workout offers a Facebook Live streaming workout at 3 pm PST every day.

17. MySwimPro: https://myswimpro.com/

MySwimPro has workouts for swimmers to use on dryland and inside of the pool. It’s a downloadable app with other content that can be accessed as well

18. Nike Training Club: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nike-training-club/id301521403

A brand that needs no introduction. The Nike training app is free and has over 185 workouts that you can stream.

19. Fly London: https://www.instagram.com/fly_ldn/?utm_source=ig_embed

This London yoga and barre studio offers hip hop yoga classes and sweaty barre classes. Currently, they are streaming their classes on Instagram Live and posting them on YouTube. Sessions last for 45 minutes.

20. Sweaty Betty: http://www.sweatybetty.com/us/free-online-workout-videos

Sweaty Betty is a UK-Based Fitness Brand. They have loads of free fitness videos, varying in length and also in type of workouts (yoga, barre, HITT, and boxing).

21. Zuzka Light: https://zuzkalight.com/

There is a ton of content here. In the free workout section, you can find bodyweight, kettlebell, HITT, and jump rope workouts. There is also a ton of great content in the form of blogs, and some great custom options.

22. Blogilates: https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates

This streaming channel has Pilate workouts set to music. All workouts are easy for anyone to do, and the channel has many other videos around clean eating and self-esteem that are excellent too.

23. The Fitness Marshall: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall

The Fitness Marshall workouts are set to popular music. All workouts are short and cardio-based.

24. Tone it up: https://www.youtube.com/user/ToneItUpcom

This streaming workout offers toning workouts. All workouts allow you to use household objects and you combine many short ones into a playlist to design a great workout.

25. SLT: https://www.instagram.com/sltnyc/channel/

SLT stands for strengthen, lengthen and tone. Currently, they are offering Instagram Live classes for free.

26. Aarmy: https://www.instagram.com/aarmy/?hl=en

Streaming on Instagram live, these boot camps are not for the faint of heart. They usually have four live classes in the morning.

27. FightCamp: https://joinfightcamp.com/

FightCamp is online virtual booking workouts. In addition to working out with online instructors, their app allows your progress to be tracked and improved upon.

28. Y7 Studio: https://www.instagram.com/y7studio/

Y7 Studio is a yoga class that is down in the dark to candlelight and hip-hop music. They are currently offering Instagram classes live for all levels.

29. Physique57: https://physique57.com/

Physique 57 is offering a free trial to have online access to all their studios. Physique 57 is a barre workout, and all the needed materials are things that you will have access to in your house.

30. Johnson and Johnson 7 Minute Workout: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/j-j-official-7-minute-workout/id784797900

Johnson and Johnson has created a free app full of seven-minute workouts that you can get maximum results from.

31: SoulCycle’s Off the Bike: https://soul-cycle.com/news/offthebike

Soulcycle is currently offering free Instagram classes that focus on bodyweight, cardio, and mindfulness. No equipment needed.

32. “The Class” https://theclass.com/digitalstudio

Taryn Toomey’s workout class combines both plyometric and calisthenics with popular music. There is a mindfulness component, that means it’s a great workout that also helps with stress and anxiety. Currently, there is a two- week free trial.

33. Solidcore: https://www.instagram.com/solidcore/channel/

Solidcore is offering free Instagram live classes. The workout combines Pilates, strength training and sliders to take the place of the reformers.

34. ConBody: https://conbody.com/

Conbody is a workout developed by Coss Marte – when he was in prison. The workout is designed to be done in small places and uses only bodyweight. You can get a subscription for $9/month.

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Why Downpayment Source Matters

By Joel Olson • February 11, 2025

If you’re looking to purchase a property, although you might not think it matters too much, the source of your downpayment means a great deal to the lender. Let’s discuss the lender requirements, what your downpayment tells the lender about your financial situation, a how downpayment helps establish the mortgage loan to value. Anti-money laundering Lenders care about your downpayment source because, legally, they have to. To prevent money laundering, lenders have to document the source of the downpayment on every home purchase. Acceptable forms of downpayment are money from your resources, borrowed funds through an insured program called the FlexDown, or money you receive as a gift from an immediate family member. To prove the funds are from your resources and not laundered money from the proceeds of crime, you’ll be required to provide bank statements showing the money has been in your account for at least 90 days or that you’ve accumulated the funds through payroll deposits or other acceptable means. Now, if you’re borrowing all or part of your downpayment, you’ll need to include the costs of carrying the payments on the borrowed downpayment in your debt service ratios. If you’re the recipient of a gift from a direct family member, you’ll need to provide a signed gift letter indicating that the funds are a true gift and have no schedule for repayment. From there, you’ll need to show the money deposit into your account. Financial suitability Lenders care about the source of the downpayment because it is an indicator that you are financially able to purchase the property. Showing the lender that your downpayment is coming from your resources is the best. This demonstrates that you have positive cash flow and that you’re able to save money and manage your finances in a way that indicates you’ll most likely make your mortgage payments on time. If your downpayment is borrowed or from a gift, there’s a chance that they’ll want to scrutinize the rest of your application more closely. The bigger your downpayment, the better, well, as far as the lender is concerned. The way they see it, there is a direct correlation between how much money you have as equity to the likelihood you will or won’t default on their mortgage. Essentially, the more equity you have, the less likely you will walk away from the mortgage, which lessens their risk. Downpayment establishes the loan to value (LTV) Thirdly, your downpayment establishes the loan to value ratio. The loan to value ratio or LTV is the percentage of the property’s value compared to the mortgage amount. In Canada, a lender cannot lend more than 95% of a property’s value. So, if you’re buying a home for $400k, the lender can lend $380k, and you’re responsible for coming up with 5%, $ 20k in this situation. But you might be asking yourself, how does the source of the downpayment impact LTV? Great question, and to answer this, we have to look at how to establish property value. Simply put, something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it and what someone is willing to sell it for. Of course, within reason, having no external factors coming into play. When dealing with real estate, an appraisal of the property will include comparisons of what other people have agreed to pay for similar properties in the past. You’ll often hear of situations where buyers and sellers try to inflate the sale price to help finalize the transaction artificially. Any scenario where the buyer isn’t coming up with all of the money for the downpayment, independent of the seller, impacts the LTV. All details of a real estate transaction purchase and sale have to be disclosed to the lender. If there’s any money transferring behind the scenes, this impacts the LTV, and the lender won’t proceed with financing. Non-disclosure to the lender is mortgage fraud. So there you have it; hopefully, this provides context to why lenders ask for documents to prove the source of your downpayment. If you’d like to talk about mortgage financing, please connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to work with you.

Understanding a Spousal Buyout Mortgage

By Joel Olson • January 28, 2025

If you’re going through or considering a divorce or separation, you might not be aware that there are mortgage products designed to allow you to refinance your property and buy out your ex-spouse. If you’re like most people, your property is your most significant asset and is where most of your equity is tied up. If this is the case, it’s possible to structure a new mortgage that allows you to purchase the property from your ex-spouse for up to 95% of the property’s value. Alternatively, if your ex-spouse wants to keep the property, they can buy you out using the same program. It’s called the spousal buyout program. Here are some of the common questions people have about the program. Is a finalized separation agreement required? Yes. To qualify, you’ll need to provide the lender with a copy of the signed separation agreement, which clearly outlines asset allocation. Can the net proceeds be used for home renovations or pay off loans? No. The net proceeds can only buy out the other owner’s share of equity and/or pay off joint debt as explicitly agreed upon in the finalized separation agreement. What is the maximum amount that you can access through the program? The maximum equity you can withdraw is the amount agreed upon in the separation agreement to buy out the other owner’s share of the property and/or retire joint debts (if any), not exceeding 95% loan to value. What is the maximum permitted loan to value? The maximum loan to value is the lesser of 95% or the remaining mortgage + the equity required to buy out other owner and/or pay off joint debt (which, in some cases, can total < 95% LTV. The property must be the primary owner-occupied residence. Do all parties have to be on title? Yes. All parties to the transaction have to be current registered owners on title. Your solicitor will be required to confirm this with a title search. Do the parties have to be a married or common-law couple? No. Not only will the spousal buyout program support married and common-law couples who are divorcing or separating, but it’s also designed for friends or siblings who need an exit from a mortgage. The lender can consider this on an exception basis with insurer approval. In this case, as there won’t be a separation agreement, a standard clause will need to be included in the purchase contract to outline the buyout. Is a full appraisal required? Yes. When considering this type of mortgage, a physical appraisal of the property is required as part of the necessary documents to finalize the transaction. While this is a good start to answering some of the questions you might have about getting a mortgage to help you through a marital breakdown, it’s certainly not comprehensive. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, not only do you get a choice between lenders and considerably more mortgage options, but you get the unbiased mortgage advice to ensure you understand all your options and get the right mortgage for you. Please connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to discuss your needs directly and provide you with options to help you secure the best mortgage financing available. Also, please be assured that all communication will be held in the strictest of confidence.