How to make fitness work for you: Try hybrid workouts and on-demand options, says wellness coach

Benefits of hybrid exercises: Hybrid routines let you start the week with a strength-building workout tailored by your trainer, then mix in a virtual boxing session that fits your energy level midweek (Image: Pexels)

Going to the gym, for many, means carving out two hours, commuting, and rearranging the whole day. However, with life moving faster than ever, Zoom calls, childcare, airports, traffic, staying fit needs to be as flexible as everything else. That’s where hybrid workouts and on-demand fitness come in.

Our lifestyles aren’t built for rigidity anymore, Lifestyle and wellness coach Asad Hussain, Founder and CEO, Odds Fitness, New Delhi, told Moneycontrol. “People want to stay fit, but they also want freedom. Hybrid and on-demand models give them both,” he added.

Hybrid workouts mix traditional, in-person training with digital access. “It means you can still get the motivation and structure of a personal trainer — but log in from your living room, hotel, or even the park. For people with unpredictable routines, it’s a game-changer,” Hussain said.

Also read | Benefits of high-intensity exercise: Is it the best exercise to improve brain health?

On-demand fitness takes that freedom even further. It's no longer about trying to make it to a class. You can fit in a 20-minute session between meetings or stretch before bed — all on your own terms.

Exercise tips: 5 ways hybrid and on-demand workouts can keep you fit

• Make time, don’t find time: You no longer have to rush through traffic to make that 6 p.m. spin class. With hybrid and on-demand fitness, your schedule bends — not breaks. For instance, you could start your week with a morning strength session at the gym with your trainer, then follow it up midweek with a guided virtual mobility class. If you're working from home, it might mean squeezing in a 20-minute HIIT workout during lunch using an app, or unwinding at night with a gentle yoga flow before bed. Your workout happens when it suits you.

• Stay consistent, even while juggling: We all have unpredictable days — a sick child, back-to-back meetings, or last-minute travel. With hybrid models, you might do a personalised gym session when you’re in town, and switch to a live virtual Pilates class when you’re travelling. On-demand options keep you moving no matter where you are — from a quick bodyweight circuit in your hotel room, to a 10-minute stretch squeezed in between Zoom calls at home. You don’t lose momentum just because your plans change.

• Choose what your body needs: Fitness isn’t about going hard every day. Some days you’re ready to crush a bootcamp in the park with your trainer, and other days all you need is a guided foam-rolling session or a recovery flow. “Hybrid and on-demand fitness let you tune in to what your body’s asking for,” Hussain said. You can choose between following a calming pilates video, or doing an energy-boosting Tabata class — all from your living room. “Some days you want to push hard, others you just need recovery. These models let you choose both,” Hussain added.

• Personalisation over pressure: Gone are the days when fitness meant blindly following a studio schedule. Hybrid routines let you start the week with a strength-building workout tailored by your trainer, then mix in a virtual boxing session that fits your energy level midweek. With on-demand platforms, you might build your own routine entirely; cardio one day, barre the next, and meditation to close out the week. “Some AI-based fitness apps even adjust the intensity based on your performance, making your progress feel personal, not pressured,” he said.

• Health as a habit, not a hassle: You might book a one-on-one training session once a week at the gym, then keep the momentum going with three short online workouts across the week at your convenience. Some people prefer a 7-minute mobility routine before their morning shower, or a fun dance cardio class online when they need to shake off a stressful day. “The future of fitness is about blending into your life, not interrupting it,” Hussain said.

1. What are hybrid workouts?

Hybrid workouts combine traditional, in-person training with digital access. This means you can get the motivation and structure of a personal trainer, but also have the flexibility to exercise from your living room, hotel, or park.

2. How do hybrid and on-demand workouts offer flexibility?

These models allow you to fit exercise into your schedule rather than the other way around. You can start your week with a gym session, follow up with a virtual class midweek, or do a short workout during lunch from home. Your workout happens when it suits you.

3. Can hybrid workouts help me stay consistent with an unpredictable routine?

Yes, hybrid models and on-demand options ensure you stay active regardless of your changing plans. Whether it's a personalised gym session when you're in town or a quick hotel room workout while travelling, you won't lose momentum.

4. How can hybrid workouts be personalised to suit my needs?

Hybrid and on-demand fitness allow you to choose workouts based on how your body feels. Whether you want an intense bootcamp or a calming yoga session, these models let you select the type of exercise that fits your needs.

5. Are hybrid workouts effective for building healthy habits?

Absolutely, hybrid workouts blend seamlessly into your life rather than interrupting it. You might have a one-on-one gym session weekly, complemented by short online workouts throughout the week, making fitness a consistent part of your routine.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.