Free workouts that helped me release weight

Hey there, I’m Jess ✨. On The Signature, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th. You're welcome to join.

Disclaimer: I update this article as soon as I try a new workout. Last edit on April 18, 2026.

We have all done it: pay for a gym or for a subscription fee to feel that this would be it, now we were going to start working out. But motivation has nothing to do with money or accountability from someone else but about a personal mindset and discipline.

How Jess got her groove back | A year in the making

The story of how I lost 18 kgs last year. In 2024, unexpected circumstances gave me time to focus on myself. I gained new habits, and a fresh perspective on health and body image. But the biggest change wasn’t just physical. Here’s what I learned along the way.

The SignatureJess

I lost almost 40 pounds (18 kgs) and I have not gained the weight a year later. The mindset is still here and every time I feel I am steering away from my goals - getting firmer and stronger - I find new ways to self-motivate.

How to self motivate to workout?

Here are a few hacks I have been using to overcome my lazy girl mindset

The SignatureJess

So here is a playlist of absolutely free workouts I do online which help me tremendously:

The last workouts I tried were...

Aqua Fit Workout - 35 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: a swimming pool, great if you have one at home or if you can have privacy in one at a hotel

This aqua gym focuses on stretching, recovery and jogs and jacks. Doing it all in the water makes it seems more fun and lighter yet once you climb up the stairs in the pool, you feel your legs have done some much needed movement. I found the warmup and recovery bits too long. I like to get right on the action. So I think this exercise would be great to recover from a run or a heavier strength workout.

Dumbbell Cardio Workout - 30 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: Two Dumbbells

After the two kettlebell workouts from Caroline Girvan I did previously (below), I decided to tried her Fuel Series Dumbbell workout. Damn, it was a hard yet doable one. But you can even check in the video, she gets exhausted sometimes, as you do 3 30-second series in a row before a 30-second rest. It's one you indeed need to fuel for.

Full Body Kettlebell Workout - 30 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: One kettlebell

Just recently discovered Caroline Girvan's workouts. In this one, you repeat alternating hand kettlebell swing after each 30-second exercise and then rest for 30 seconds! At each 90 seconds, you are doing something different and your heart is absolutely pumped! This was a short but great workout I feel I will repeat again soon.

Full Body Kettlebell Workout - 45 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: One kettlebell

Encouraged by how much I fancied her 30-minute workout, I tried this one a few days later. The 30 minutes were all right for me, with my heart pumping but I could manage to do all the exercises. And then, on the last 15 minutes, it got really hard for me. The Turkish Get Up was the hardest and I just could not do it, my arms aren't that strong. I will have to try again sometime soon. In any case, it was a great workout, longer than what I usually go for!

Other workouts I have tried lately...

Aqua Gym Class - 35 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: a swimming pool, great if you have one at home or if you can have privacy in one at a hotel

This is a great one if you have sore muscles a day or two after a strength training: I love doing these sessions on weekends, as I usually focus on walking and other types of workout during the workweek.

Body Combat Class - 30 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: just your fitness shoes

You need something to pump your heart out and you only have 30 minutes? You can do this one in your living room, no equipment necessary.

Dumbbell HIIT Challenge in 30 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: Two kettlebells with the same weight

I love the dynamic duo that are Juice and Toya. I was able to do all the repetitions on this video with two 3-kg kettlebells but I did not enjoy how repeated they are and how little time to breathe in-between exercises there was. And maybe that was the goal: my Fitbit said it was one of the hardest exercises I have done lately.

Full Body Kettlebell workout in 30 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: One or two kettlebells with the same weight

One of the things I appreciate the most about Juice and Toya's workout series is that they show 2 versions of the same exercise, with more or less weight and with more or less impact. Also there are lots of videos of Toya while she was pregnant and they are great to follow for some core gentle workouts.

Quick Pilates for the Abs in 12 minutes

🏋🏽‍♀️ Equipment: Just a mat and pilates socks will do

Do not be fooled for the "quick" or "12 minutes only" description, this workout is an absolute burn to your core. It will make you feel your abs on fire.

Like this content? We can connect also on BlueSky | TikTok | Youtube | Pinterest