“”

Women's Health, Your Way

November 04, 2025

Ask & Search With Clara

Welcome to a new standard for women’s health answers.

GIRLHOOD / From Couch Potato to Home Workout Hero

From Couch Potato to Home Workout Hero

September 16, 2025
From Couch Potato to Home Workout Hero

Confession: I used to think “home workouts” meant rolling out of bed and doing a single stretch before my coffee. Now? I’m a full blown workout-from-home enthusiast. The gym has never really been my thing; I’d so much rather roll out my mat in the living room, throw on leggings (or let’s be honest, pajamas), and press play. No commute, no waiting for equipment, no pressure — just me, my space, and movement that fits into my life.

Home workouts aren’t about being perfect; they’re about consistency. And that’s backed by science: studies show that the biggest factor in seeing results isn’t where you work out, it's how often you show up. For me, these workouts have become stress relief, my reset button, and the one form of self-care I’ve actually stuck with. 

Here are my go-tos:

Sydney Cummings Houdyshell (YouTube) ~  Sydney is like that friend who pushes you just enough without being overbearing. Her free library is endless, so I can always find something whether I have 10 minutes or an hour.

The Peloton App (Strength Classes) ~ You don’t need the bike to love Peloton. Their strength classes are fun, effective, and led by trainers who somehow make me laugh mid-burpee.

Fit with Coco (Pilates x Strength) ~ Coco combines the slow burn of Pilates with sculpting strength moves. They’re equipment-light, creative, and leave me shaking in the best way.

At the end of the day, home workouts aren’t glamorous, but they’re realistic and sustainable. Strength training matters — supporting bones, metabolism, mental health, and overall well-being. For me, it’s less about motivation and more about carving out any space to move and care for myself. And if I can do it, so can you.

Ask Clara: Why is strength training important for women?


More from GIRLHOOD

I’ve had PCOS for as long as I can remember. My periods have never been regular — sometimes showing up after 60 days, sometimes not at all — and acne... Read more
This week, I went on my first business trip in two years (I was pregnant and had a baby, so there’s that). Historically, I’ve been one of those type B... Read more
At the ASRM fertility conference this week, my cofounder Abby and I were talking with our friend Dr. Carmen Messerlian, a Harvard-trained reproductive epidemiologist. The conversation started the usual way... Read more
I was at my kids’ soccer practice the other day when another mom asked what I do for a living. As soon as I said “women’s health,” she leaned in... Read more
I read the Vogue article about celebrities and microdosing GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Zepbound, Mounjaro) and immediately flashed back to my diet-culture days. Growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s, I... Read more
Anyone who knows me knows I am low-maintenance when it comes to beauty and personal care products. My holy grail lineup? The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (yasss, queen) and EltaMD's... Read more
When I went through IVF for the first time in 2018, it felt like sneaking into a club no one wanted to admit existed. Every appointment was a quiet act... Read more
This weekend I hosted birthday parties for each of my twins… back-to-back. It was exhausting, but also, so magical. That’s parenting in a nutshell, right? Messy joy. Organized chaos. Love... Read more
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s ahead: menopause feels like this mysterious next chapter everyone whispers about but no one fully explains. I’m not there yet, but as... Read more
This weekend, we visited my sister-in-law, and honestly… I think I hit the jackpot. She had my kids’ favorite snacks ready before they asked, let them make a mess (even... Read more