HIIT | Down Dog 9+

I’ll start by saying, usually, I detest HIIT workouts. I stayed as far away from them as I possibly could but I hit a point during lockdown where I couldn’t even look at myself without feeling so angry that I’d put on so much weight and I knew it was time for a change. I downloaded this app when DownDog were giving lifetime subs for those who downloaded it within it’s first month of release. It took me a while but I am absolutely IN LOVE with this app. It’s so customisable while still helping you categorise your workouts, making them extremely tailored to just what you need. Within the first 2 WEEKS, I noticed a marked difference in my muscle tone. I’ve kept up at it and although I’ve not had the confidence to get out on the road and jog for my cardio, just the app alone has caused me to burn so much weight. I do wish they had an apartment-friendly option for the fat burn workout it this is quite literally my one and only complaint. High quality and produces brilliant results. 10 out of 10 👌🏽

I have never managed to use any workout apps before this one. As if you have someone custom making each workout you can adjust absolutely everything to your personal preferences (time, music, how long each section is, whether you want circuits or rotation etc) and strength levels of each body part. I get bored and give up very easily so the fact that this app does rotations, never repeating a move, AND every time I do a workout, even on the same settings, I get a totally different workout. Absolutely genius coding that makes this feel like I’m being led by a live instructor always teaching me new moves every day. Incredible, cannot recommended enough. As a side note, I also have deep respect for the developers of this app who believe in the value of exercise and the efficacy of their product so much that they made it free for schools during Covid and try to find ways to make it as affordable as possible for everyone worldwide.

I’d give this 4.8 stars if possible. Overall it is a fantastic app. I started using it in January and I absolutely hate workouts so I didn’t hold out much hope. However, many months later I am still using it twice a week, alongside my usual runs and swims. I’ve definitely noticed a difference to my strength but the main thing is that I don’t hate it! The fact the workouts are so customisable makes them superb and I even like the option to change the instruction (no time at all for those apps with enthusiastic encouragement, but I know that’s right for some people).
I’ve never got bored doing 30 minutes as it’s different every time so it’s easy to fit in after work. My only gripe is the music is pretty awful. If you want something upbeat you’re totally limited to the kind of awful autotune pop which my teenage students are into. It would be really good to have a wider choice of music.