I’m a yoga instructor and strength training nerd — these are the Chloe Ting workouts I’d actually do

We know it’s easy to dismiss Chloe Ting because of the flak she’s been getting.

However, we must say that her videos get views for a reason. They’re straightforward, quick (time-wise, not results-wise), and fun. Plus, she’s one of the few creators that provides videos and guides completely free of charge.

Her upbeat personality, music, and circuit-style videos make it easy for beginners to follow along. If she’s able to encourage first-timers to move and get active, we applaud her!

Although I believe she has good intentions…

As a yoga teacher, some of her videos make me raise an eyebrow.

The most glaring issue is the question of whether she’s a certified personal trainer or not. If she is, wouldn’t it make sense to plug it in all her videos and social media accounts? Her lack of addressing it only makes it seem fishier.

Her website says she is a Certified Personal Trainer, but there isn’t any information on which organisation she studied at. Most websites and articles about Chloe say that she is not a personal trainer due to the lack of credentials.

It’s definitely a blurred line, so it’s important to proceed with caution.

I’ll admit that there are creators I follow who are not certified but have years of training in their various disciplines such as weightlifting, gymnastics, and handstands. The reason why I follow them? Their good form and highly instructional content, which can be lacking when it comes to Chloe Ting.

When I watched some of her videos that include yoga poses such as mat core exercises and plank variations, I noticed that she is often out of alignment — relaxed core, arched back, and misaligned hips, I’m looking at you.

In HIIT (high-intensity interval training) videos, you can also see her losing endurance before the timer is up. While it is understandable to feel tired or out of breath during a circuit, you’d expect the creator (with supposed years of workout experience and expertise in her specific style of workouts) to have more grit.

Last but not least, her clickbait titles promising quick and too-good-to-be-true results. Let’s get one thing straight: You can’t spot-reduce fat or get abs in two weeks.

While it is true that people have seen some insane results by following her videos, they’re usually new to working out, which means any form of movement will do them good.

For people who have specific strength or fat-loss goals, there’s only so much that can be done with ab and HIIT workouts.

She has made videos addressing the fact that she uses eye-catching thumbnails and titles in order to help her videos reach more people. Her videos also include disclaimers at the very end of the description box, to say that results require a different timeline for every person.

We know that that’s the nature of the internet, but it’s hard to support a creator who seems under-qualified, and with such a large following — especially when her sign-off on her website reads “Ok that’s it. Do your workouts, watch the ads and remember to engage that core!”

Having said that, there are some Chloe Ting workouts which I wouldn’t mind trying, after going through 50+ Chloe Ting workout videos.

Don’t get me wrong — yoga and bodyweight workouts can definitely help you lose fat and build muscle. But if you’re only doing bodyweight arm circles, don’t expect to see a huge difference.

I’d recommend this arm workout because it’s one of the few Chloe Ting workouts that includes light dumbbells. The added weight and resistance will make the workout more efficient and effective since she’s using more generic movements.

When looking for an online workout to try, I’d recommend finding something that has basic exercises that you already know. (There is less risk of injury if there aren’t any weird or fancy new moves.)

This is a quick 10-minute video, so anyone can try it.

Similarly, this core workout incorporates a dumbbell and widely-known exercises that are accessible for most people. The video doesn’t include just the basic sit-up and crunch combo, so if you’re someone who hates working your core, it won’t be that dreadful to get through.

Note that I’m recommending this core workout to build core strength and stability, not to get a flat belly in 10 days. Most people aren’t able to obtain six-pack abs without proper training, nutrition, and genetics, much less in 10 days.

A big reason why some trainers frown upon at-home HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts is because those workouts often involve many jumping and other high-impact moves.

Doing HIIT every day isn’t sustainable as you will not have enough time to recover, which can lead to overtraining or injury. Not only is that harsh on your joints, but it also isn’t an efficient method for strength training.

This no-jumping workout is a great way to get your heart rate up while keeping the impact low.

I still disagree with some things said in the video, such as “you won’t be bulking up your legs doing these exercises, so don’t worry about that”, but it’s one of her better full-body workouts.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, remember this: Home workouts done without the supervision of a qualified fitness professional carry a higher injury risk, so it’s best to proceed with caution and exercise discretion at all times. When in doubt, go easy or scale down the moves. If you’re looking to step up your workout routine, it’s advisable to seek professional guidance.

*All views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.

Carissa Wong is a 200h Certified Yoga Teacher who focuses on alignment, mobility, and strength. She started practising yoga in 2016, and has been teaching since mid-2020. Currently, she teaches private 1-on-1 yoga classes (online and in person) and creates personalised stretch and strength plans.

You can find Carissa on Instagram (@MovewithCarissa), and her e-books “Form & Alignment” and “Banishing Back Pain” here.

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