10 best YouTube fitness channels that'll get you in shape for free

It's okay - we're not about to insist you grease yourself up and squeeze into some unflattering lycra in an effort to work off the guilt of December's gluttony.

We get it. January is a time for new starts, a trim physique, riding that fresh wave of enthusiasm all the way to the February sofa slump.

But fitness doesn't start and end with an ill-gotten gym membership: there's a host of insightful, useful fitness tips and routines waiting to be watched on YouTube - mercifully free of joining fees and protein-filled posers.

And no, watching these videos will do nothing for your health - you're going to need to add the sweat yourself.

Fitness Blender

Best video: Lower Body HIIT for Strong Legs

Hate gyms? This one's for you. With a bit of room to swing your body around and enough perseverance to undergo a month of workouts, Fitness Blender has everything you need to work on that New Year bulge. Videos are ordered in a seemingly-endless stream of content, allowing you to dip in and out of at-home workouts as you see fit. Moves are introduced before you try them by overly-active models, so you're not left feeling like an uncoordinated wally in your living room. 

Fitness Blender

Shaun T

Best video: December Challenge Day 4: Abs

Heard of the Insanity workout? The extreme aerobics series that swept bedrooms the world over in recent years is the creation of this guy, Shaun T. While his YouTube channel will consistently push you toward his subscription material, it does feature some great basic workouts for free. Once you've mastered these, you might want to pay for his other material.

Shaun T

The Lean Machines

Best video: Fat Burning Home Workout

The Lean Machines are to fitness what the Chuckle Brothers are to children's entertainment: inoffensive, simple and effective. But with more vests. With a great range of specific channels covering abs, beginners guides and nutrition, this is a one-stop-hit for your home workout needs.

The Lean Machines

Tee Major Fitness

Best video: The 44 Best Bodyweight Exercises

Fitness coach Tee Major has moved away from YouTube to create his own website of late - but his old content is still brilliant for bodyweight workouts, new training ideas and variations that'll help you find muscles you didn't know you had.

Tee Major Fitness

LNDM TV

Best video: Shoulder workout

LDN Muscle is the work of two sets of London-based brothers - all gifted in the art of picking up heavy things and putting them back down again. Their YouTube channel is perfect for anyone who's run out of ideas at the gym, or looking for some great routines to try at home, sans weights.

LNDM TV

Strength Camp

Best video: The only four exercises you need to grow stronger

As you find yourself digging through the wealth of fitness videos found offered by YouTube, you'll start to notice conflicting opinions, formulas and philosophies. One shirtless chap will say something apparently contrary to another equally lumpy vest-clad fellow. Strength Camp's Elliot Hulse is one such outspoken muscular spokesperson - but he's more legible and succinct than many, offering a sound explanation of why certain workouts will be better for you than others. You won't find new videos being published, but the old stuff is gold.

Buff Dudes

Best video: How to perform the squat

Don't let the name put you off - Buff Dudes actually stands for 'Better Understanding of Food and Fitness'. An extensive archive of workout tips and guidance on 'proper' lifts, the Buff Dudes have a unique brand of humour that might grate, but stick with it and you'll learn some great techniques.

Buff Dudes

Six Pack Shortcuts

Best video: Clark's Clean Cut Ab Workout

We'll be honest - there's a lot of fluff in the videos of Six Pack Shortcuts: adverts, motivational chats, gym life. But skip through the chatter and you'll find some brilliant content for creating your own at-home workouts. Clearly, there's a focus on abdominals, but there's also a great deal of useful learning on nutrition as well.

Six Pack Shortcuts

Scott Herman Fitness

Best video: Top 5 Dumbbell Tricep Exercises

Scott Herman is the kind of guy who has his own gym. He's also the kind of guy who has to buy clothing in unusually broad proportions. As such, his videos are aimed at those who enjoy surrounding themselves with large weights and the sweat of others. Great for gym goers, a bit much for those looking for at-home workouts. 

Scott Herman Fitness

Kali Muscle

Best video: The Art Of Getting "BIG BICEPS" 

Kali is huge. Bigger than you'll ever be. Within his curious mix of 'lifestyle' videos (pep-talks, comedy, random things that tickle Kali), Kali gives some great tips for adding "bulk" to your current workout. 

Kali Muscle