How I Stay Active Without a Gym (and Why You Don’t Really Need One)
- Lily Collard
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 17
Honestly? You don’t need a gym to get fit. My workouts have always been a mix of whatever I’m in the mood for, some daily core work, and walks—sometimes short, sometimes over 2 miles—while my siblings have cross-country practice. Add in my obsession with Caroline Girvan on YouTube, and you’ve got my full routine. I truly love working out, staying fit, and eating well, so I am so excited to share this with you all today!
Caroline Girvan: My Fitness Obsession
If you don’t know Caroline Girvan, stop what you’re doing and go check her out. Now, haha. Her workouts are free, insanely effective, and I swear, they somehow make you feel like a beast while also secretly enjoying yourself. I started working out with her almost five years ago with my sisters and mom. At the time, I was “out of shape” (classic me), and finishing her FUEL series together felt like such a huge accomplishment. Even my dad and brother think she’s awesome now.
After FUEL, I fell hard for her IRON and BEASTMODE series. Epic strength, full-body burn, and the kind of workouts that make you proud when you survive them (when you do them, you WILL die, haha.) And just recently, we crushed her Epic Heat program—it was intense, yes, but somehow ridiculously satisfying. At the moment, I just pick random workouts from her channel to keep things fresh and challenging.
Core Every Single Day
I can’t stress this enough: I do core work daily. Even just 10–15 minutes makes a difference. I’m talking planks, bicycle crunches, leg raises—you don’t need fancy equipment. It keeps me strong, improves posture, and honestly makes all other workouts feel easier. It’s one of those small habits that really pays off over time, getting rid of that pooch at the same time, haha.
Walking: My Low-Key Cardio Hack
While my siblings run cross-country, I hit the track for over 2 miles with my parents. It’s simple, low-pressure, and a great way to get your blood moving without feeling like torture. Walking might seem basic, but it’s consistent and easy to fit into your day.
Mixing Things Up
The key for me is variety. One day I might do a hardcore IRON or BEASTMODE workout; another day it’s random core or cardio; and some days, I just walk. Changing it up keeps me from getting bored—and keeps my body guessing, which is way more effective than doing the same thing over and over.
Comments