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Aerobic exercise is a core part of any fitness routine, and aerobics classes can be a great way to get your heart rate pumping. Of course, it’s worth noting that “aerobic exercise” and “aerobics classes” don’t mean exactly the same thing. The term “aerobic” exercise is a form of cardiovascular conditioning that increases your breathing and heart rate—like swimming, running, or cycling. The term “aerobics” describes a specific kind of aerobic exercise class that typically involves rhythmic, repetitive choreography—like step aerobics or water aerobics.
If you’re hoping to break up your high-intensity workouts with a little aerobic exercise, aerobics classes can be an effective and fun way to do it. And the best part is that you don’t even have to leave your house to take an aerobics class. Here we've rounded up the best online aerobics classes, so you can start breaking a sweat.
Best Online Aerobics Classes of 2023
- Best Overall: FitOn
- Best for Beginners: KaisaFit
- Best Variety: Les Mills
- Best Step Aerobics: Fit Outside the Box
- Best Jazzercise: Jazzercise
- Best Zumba: Zumba
Best Overall : FitOn
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FitOn
- Price: Free
- Free version: Yes
- Class length: 10-30 minutes
FitOn makes it easy to get a solid workout without spending a dime. The free platform is loaded with beginner-friendly classes including aerobics favorites, like dance cardio.
A large, diverse library
Short, beginner-friendly classes
Lots of aerobics classes to choose from
Several free workout videos
Only a few longer classes
FitOn is a platform that’s loaded with tons of free fun workout videos. And since there are options for every skill level, you’re bound to find something that suits your needs. They also have other courses that are offered at a cost, if you want to take it up to the next level.
Aerobics fans can explore KINRGY, a Julianne Hough-helmed program that offers a blend of toning and dance cardio. But plenty of the brand’s dance, cardio, and toning videos should get the job done, too.
When you’re ready to switch up your routine, check out some of the platform’s other workout classes which include yoga, Pilates, HIIT, and more. It’s hard to believe you can get so much while spending no money at all. And that’s exactly why FitOn is our top pick.
Best for Beginners : KaisaFit
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KaisaFit
- Price: $29 per class
- Free version: No
- Class length: 20-40 minutes
If your goal is to get a little more active, KaisaFit is a great way to do it. The platform offers a bunch of beginner-friendly programs, which use a traditional aerobics class format to help you master classic stretches, strength-training moves, and more. Choose between beginner-friendly paths, or bundles. Either way, you’re in for some engaging, helpful workouts.
Several beginner-friendly options
An easy way to build a foundation in fitness
Relatively short classes
Backed by a (limited) full-refund guarantee
Costs money
Can’t try before you buy
Looking to get a little more active, but not sure where to start? KaisaFit is a solid option. The platform boasts beginner-friendly workout programs—including Start Moving or Just Move—each of which is designed with a different goal in mind.
Aerobics fans will recognize the format of each of these programs. Instructor Kaisa Keranen will walk you through a few basic steps, which you’ll perform throughout the rest of the workout. As you master these steps, you’ll also be building a foundation in fitness. Many of the steps are inspired by classic stretching and strength-training moves, and you’ll find yourself turning to them time and time again as you diversify your fitness routine.
Classes last between 20 and 40 minutes and cost about $29 each. You can increase your mobility with Start Mobility, build strength with Start Strong, or try out some cardio with Start Sweat. Or if your goals are a little more general, you can buy the Start Bundle (approximately $99) to get access to all three, and much more.
Best Variety : Les Mills
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Prasit photo
- Price: $15 per month
- Free version: Yes (1-month free trial)
- Class length: 20-45 minutes
Les Mills boasts a massive library of on-demand workout classes, and you’ll find brand new classes every month.
Large, diverse library
Aerobics and cross-training classes
Budget-friendly membership program
30-day free trial
Costs money
If you want your go-to aerobics classes to be part of a bigger, more diverse fitness routine, Les Mills has your back. The fitness platform boasts tons of different workout classes, which include lower-impact yoga fusion courses, high-intensity strength-training classes, and just about everything in between.
Unsurprisingly, Les Mills’ aerobics class selection is just as stacked. Browse the platform, and you’ll find nearly 100 different step aerobics classes and over 100 dance cardio classes. This library includes everything from martial arts to indoor cycling. And of course, a couple of aerobics favorites—like step aerobics and dance cardio.
The great thing about this much variety is that you can always find a course that meets your needs, no matter what your goals are, how experienced you are, or what your schedule looks like on a given day.
The only downside of Les Mills? It costs money. But since a membership runs only about $15 per month, that tradeoff seems more than worth it. Plus, Les Mills offers a 1-month free trial so you can give the platform a test run before committing.
Best Step Aerobics : Fit Outside the Box
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Fit Outside the Box
- Price: Free
- Free version: Yes
- Class length: 40-60 minutes
Online step aerobics classes abound, but Fit Outside the Box’s are full of variety and are some of the best.
Large library
Options for every skill level
Classic step aerobics classes
Totally free
Little potential for cross-training
Step aerobics is a fan favorite for a reason: They’re fun, upbeat, and generally beginner-friendly. And thanks to Karla Luster of Fit Outside the Box, you can access tons of classic step aerobics workouts for free.
Luster has been posting workouts on YouTube since 2013. And over that time, she’s uploaded more than 250 step aerobics videos. Her classes are fun and high-energy, and though most of them are 40 to 60 minutes long, she has options tailored to every skill level.
Start with one of Luster’s beginner-friendly step videos, and work your way up to a more intense Cardio Sculpt class. There’s enough variety to keep you going for a while. So rest assured knowing that whether you’re looking for a dancier step aerobics class or a little kickboxing fusion, you’re sure to find it on Luster’s channel.
Best Jazzercise : Jazzercise
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Jazzercise
- Price: $25 per month
- Free version: Yes (14-day free trial)
- Class length: About an hour
Jazzercise is a favorite in the aerobics space. And Jazzercise—the brand that created jazzercise—offers enough on-demand workout classes to fuel your entire fitness routine.
Large library of classes
Beginner-friendly programs
Fun challenges
14-day free trial
Costs money
No classic aerobics routine is complete without a little jazzercise. And Jazzercise makes it easy to get in on the fun. The platform offers more than 100 on-demand jazzercise workouts, which range from challenging strength-builders to upbeat sweat-burners. (For good measure, they’ve thrown a few restorative routines in, too.)
Spring for a monthly membership (about $25 per month), and you’ll get access to all of these classes. You’ll also have the option of completing Jazzercise’s 14-Day Get Started Guide or participating in one of the brand’s fitness challenges.
These organized programs make it easy to get started—or to regain motivation once you’ve lost it. And if you’re not sure if you want to commit to a $25 monthly membership, don’t worry: The brand offers a 14-day free trial you can take advantage of.
Best Zumba : Zumba
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STRONG Nation
- Price: $25 per month
- Free version: Yes (14-day free trial)
- Class length: About an hour
Zumba boasts a massive library of live and on-demand classes you can choose from any time you need a quick workout.
Massive, diverse library
Live and on-demand classes
Traditional step aerobics classes are available
Class style, intensity, and cost varies by instructor
The library is so big it’s almost overwhelming
If your favorite aerobics classes are upbeat and cardio-heavy, it’s probably worth giving Zumba a try. The platform boasts a massive library of dance fitness courses, which you can take live or on-demand. And if you’d prefer to ease in with a more classic take on aerobics, you can take one of Zumba’s step aerobics classes. (Just filter the library by “Zumba Step” classes.)
Because Zumba’s library is so large, its classes tend to be very diverse. You’ll find that workout style, intensity, and length vary immensely from instructor to instructor. And the cost does, too. (Classes cost anywhere from about $10 to $100 apiece.) This is good news for anyone who craves variety in their routine but can be overwhelming for those who just want to find a go-to workout routine. Our advice: Filter the classes by style and duration. And keep track of which instructors you love, so you can take their classes again and again.
Final Verdict
Aerobics classes can make a great addition to any fitness routine. And since there are so many options out there, it’s easy to find an aerobics program that meets your needs. Our personal favorite is FitOn, a completely free platform that’s loaded with workout videos. FitOn’s KINRGY classes blend dance cardio choreography with more classic strength-training moves, making them an excellent option for aerobics fans. And if you take a moment to browse FitOn’s library, you’ll find a range of other dance, cardio, and toning videos worth adding to your routine, as well.
If you’re looking for a more specific style of aerobics, there are tons of great options to choose from. Jazzercise and Zumba both boast massive libraries of workout classes. And Fit Outside the Box offers a completely free way to work some step aerobics into your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Online Aerobics Class?
The FitOn platform is a massive library of online aerobics classes. Their videos are free, dance cardio-focused, designed to tone muscles, and totally free, with the exception of a few that are offered at an upgrade. Since there are also plenty of other workout classes offered, such as yoga or Pilates, you can decide to switch up your fitness routine every once in a while.
What Are Online Aerobics Classes?
Aerobics classes are fitness classes that are built around rhythmic, repetitive exercise. These classes can vary in style, but most of them follow a similar formula: An instructor walks you through a series of choreographed routines, typically by modeling various exercises and asking you to perform them. Online aerobics classes involve watching a video of the instructor, rather than seeing them in-person.
What Is an Aerobics Class Like?
Most aerobics classes are set to music from start to finish. When the course starts, a song will come on, and the instructor will start performing choreography. The moment they start moving, you’re expected to follow. Sometimes, the instructor will describe the exercises they’re performing out loud; other times, they won’t. Do your best to follow along with what they’re doing. (And if you’re taking a class online, you can always pause the workout video, rewind, and try again.)
Each time the song changes, the choreography will too. So a single aerobics class can be made up of a bunch of different routines. Typically, the first routine is a warm-up and the last routine is a cool-down. Everything in between may be a little more challenging, but the intensity will vary based on the class.
How Much Do Aerobics Classes Cost?
Online aerobics classes can be purchased individually or accessed through a paid membership program. Individual classes can be anywhere from free to $100 and membership programs typically cost roughly $15 to $25 per month.
Methodology
There are many different kinds of aerobics classes, and we wanted to make sure every fan favorite was represented. So we started by looking for a best-in-class option in every major style of aerobics. (That said, we did skip water aerobics as it’s not particularly at-home-friendly!)
As we narrowed our selection, we considered things like cost, library size, and class selection and prioritized programs that were affordable. (Our number-one pick offers a lot of workouts that are free.) We also looked for programs with large, diverse libraries. We wanted to make sure you’d have tons of courses to choose from. And because we know some people like variety more than others, we included programs that offer varying degrees of diversity. You’ll find some programs dedicated entirely to one style of exercise and others that offer a range of different workout classes.
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Byrdie / Designed by Amelia Manley