Americans are as busy and sedentary as ever, and the good news is that streamed, at‑home workouts now fit naturally into modern routines. Public‑health guidelines make clear that activity “counts” wherever it happens: aim for 150–300 minutes/week of moderate activity or 75–150 minutes/week of vigorous activity, plus muscle‑strengthening on 2+ days weekly (CDC; WHO). Beyond the physical benefits of an active lifestyle, recent evidence links regular exercise with meaningful improvements in mood, anxiety, and psychological distress—effects supported by an umbrella review of meta‑analyses (research synthesis).
But going to the gym isn’t for everyone. Post‑pandemic, most people use a hybrid approach—mixing digital/home sessions with in‑person workouts—because it’s more flexible and keeps them consistent (Les Mills Research; Mindbody 2024 Wellness Index). On-demand sessions are the day‑to‑day default, with weekday workouts often 20–30 minutes and longer “stacks” on weekends to reach 40–60 minutes (Mindbody 2024 Fitness Consumer Report; Les Mills 2024). Looking for an alternative to a gym membership? These are some of the most important (and sometimes hidden) benefits of streaming your next workout:
1. It Saves Money
Chances are you’re already paying for internet service at home. As of 2025, mainstream fitness apps typically cost $10–$25/month (or ~$80–$160/year on annual plans), while mid‑tier gyms often run $30–$60/month plus an annual fee (and sometimes an initiation fee). Examples: Apple Fitness+ is $9.99/month or $79.99/year (shareable via Family Sharing); the Peloton App offers tiers at $12.99/month (App) and $24/month (App+), with Peloton All‑Access at $44/month for Peloton hardware; LES MILLS+ is about $15.99/month. On the gym side, Planet Fitness commonly advertises ~$10/month for the Classic plan (typical annual fee around $49; startup fees vary), and 24 Hour Fitness commonly lists ~$31.99–$56.99/month with about a $49.99 annual fee (initiation varies by club).
What can that mean yearly? Replacing an illustrative ~$31.99/month mid‑tier gym with ~$49 annual fee (~$433.88/year) with Apple Fitness+ on the annual plan ($79.99) saves ≈ $354/year; using the Peloton App at $12.99/month (~$155.88/year) saves ≈ $278; LES MILLS+ monthly ($15.99 × 12 = $191.88) saves ≈ $242. Versus a low‑cost gym like Planet Fitness Classic (~$10/month + ~$49 annual ≈ ~$169/year), savings are smaller: Apple Fitness+ annual saves ≈ $89; Peloton App saves ≈ $13; LES MILLS+ would cost ≈ $23 more. And if you opt for connected‑equipment tiers, costs can exceed a mid‑tier gym—for example, Peloton All‑Access at $44/month totals ~$528/year before any hardware. If you use platforms that shine with hardware (e.g., iFIT with NordicTrack/ProForm), remember to include equipment in your total cost of ownership. In case you’re still on the fence, just think about how many people sign up for and pay for a gym, only to work out for a month in January and then basically stop going. Most of these people probably tell themselves they’ll start their gym routine again. This well documented trend leads to people paying for a membership they don’t use. Instead of falling into that cycle of signing up for and then never using the gym, you could use this extra money to splurge on that paid yoga app you have been wanting to try. All you’ll need after that is a yoga mat.
2. The More Convenient the Workout, the More Likely the Follow Through
Most people don’t live right next to the gym, and travel plus schedule friction reduces adherence. Streaming removes commute time and lets you fit training into small windows. Industry tracking shows most streamed sessions are consumed on‑demand, with weekday sweet‑spot durations around 20–30 minutes and stackable blocks used to build longer totals (Mindbody 2024 Fitness Report; Les Mills Research). Crucially, public‑health guidance endorses accumulating activity across the week—short sessions add up toward targets (CDC; WHO). All you need to do is carve as little as five minutes, find the workout you want and get to it.
3. Chances Are You’re Already Paying For Options
If you’re one of the millions of people who pay for Amazon Prime, then you’re already paying for access to hundreds of workout videos. While most customers pay for Amazon Prime to save on shipping costs, streaming options on Amazon Prime include popular workouts like yoga, dancing, Zumba, boot camp, and Pilates. Prime Video also sells fitness add‑ons through Prime Video Channels (selection varies by region). If you already have Netflix, you can stream Nike Training Club collections with any plan—no add‑on required (announcement; how to find them). As you find workouts you like, Amazon also gives you access to countless paid options that you can stream and continue to do at home. If you subscribe to a conventional cable package, it’s also worth checking out what might be available on-demand.
4. You Can Try Something New
Between the internet, streaming services and good old-fashioned TV, the amount of workout videos available makes it easy to try something new. Consumer data shows strength training, Pilates, yoga, and HIIT dominate streamed choices because they’re effective, equipment‑light, and easy to follow at home (ACSM 2024 trends; Mindbody 2024 Fitness Report). Many people use YouTube to search for something new. Zumba, which is also available on Amazon Prime Video, is a popular choice, as the beat of the music usually makes the whole workout more fun. Prefer curated ecosystems? Explore Apple Fitness+, the Peloton App, and LES MILLS+; or sample Nike Training Club series included on Netflix (details).
5. No Judgments
Have you ever gone to the gym and felt like the gym rats are judging you? You are not alone. Sweating at home means the only person allowed to judge is yourself. Working out at home using streamed videos also lets you set your own pace, which is great if you are a beginner and don’t necessarily have the endurance to get through the whole hour without a pause. Plus, consistent physical activity—no matter the setting—supports better mental health, with research showing moderate improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety (umbrella review; CDC).
6. Fewer Distractions
Gyms are filled with TVs because it’s simply easier to work out if you are distracted. However, the distraction of other people doing their own workouts can make you lose count of your reps and focus on your own routine. Streaming your workouts enables you to cut down on distractions to ensure you get your sweat on. Even better, you’re fully in control of switching instructors and there’s no guilt trip associated with walking out of a class that simply isn’t right for you. Practical bonus: major apps work on living‑room devices so you can train on the biggest screen—Peloton supports Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV (membership/device details), and LES MILLS+ offers mobile apps with offline downloads for travel (service overview).
7. Comfort
One of the best perks of streaming your workouts is that you can wear whatever you want. Prefer to do mountain climbers without your shoes on? No problem when you’re streaming at home. You’ll get odd looks if you try going to the gym in just your underwear, but streaming workouts at home gives to you the freedom to wear whatever you want to your sweat sessions. This privacy and convenience are big reasons busy parents and professionals keep home sessions in the mix, often gravitating to efficient 20–30 minute classes during the week with optional longer stacks on weekends (Mindbody 2024 Fitness Report; Les Mills Research).
Staying healthy and active has a ton of benefits. But don’t go thinking going to the gym is the only option. Streaming your workouts at home is good for your wallet, and has tons of other perks like comfort level, flexibility and making efficient use of your schedule. Public health guidelines emphasize that benefits accrue wherever you’re active—as long as you meet recommended activity levels—so home and streamed sessions “count” toward 150–300 minutes of moderate or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity plus 2+ strength days (CDC; WHO). And in‑person isn’t going away—U.S. health‑club membership hit a record high in 2023—so the durable model is hybrid, not either/or (IHRSA).
8. Fully Customizable
Gone are the days of monotonous treadmill workouts and going to the same workout class every day. Now more than ever, people are finding value in switching up their workouts. When you stream your workout, you’re not limited to what one class can offer. Want back-to-back gym sessions? No problem. Need to skip parts of your yoga class because of a bad back? You can do that. Interested in half a yoga class plus half a boot camp class? Streaming is the answer to optimizing your workout on your terms. And the tech now personalizes the experience: wearables can show real‑time zones on screen (for example, LES MILLS+ with Apple Watch), camera‑based tools can count reps and track movement (Peloton Guide), and compatible treadmills can auto‑adjust pace and incline to your heart‑rate target (iFIT ActivePulse). Platforms are also rolling out AI‑assisted coaching and load tracking to tailor plans over time (Apple’s Training Load; Fitbit Labs).
Next Steps
Whether you’re new to working out or looking for an affordable alternative to your gym membership, streaming your workout has some surprising hidden benefits. Our suggestion? Check out any streaming services you’re already paying for first. Amazon Prime is one of the best sources for workouts streaming, but you can also explore workout-specific apps for classes like yoga, spin, and even cross training and weight lifting. If you already have Netflix, look for Nike Training Club series included with your plan (how to find them), and in Prime Video you can browse fitness titles or add specialty channels within the app (Channels). Then compare dedicated fitness apps and costs: Apple Fitness+ ($9.99/month or $79.99/year), the Peloton App (free tier plus $12.99/month and $24/month options; All‑Access $44/month for Peloton hardware), LES MILLS+ (~$15.99/month), and iFIT (best with compatible equipment). If you’re comparing costs with a local gym, remember to include annual/initiation fees often listed by clubs like 24 Hour Fitness and Planet Fitness, and factor in equipment needs if you plan to train at home. For travel days, pick services with TV apps (e.g., Roku/Fire TV/Apple TV) and mobile downloads to keep workouts consistent.
