This stress-relieving workout increased in popularity by 25% this year

Will you be joining in?

woman in black top sweating
(Image credit: Delmaine Donson/GETTY IMAGES)

It’s no secret that exercise is key when it comes to clearing your mind and taking the stress out of life, everything from amping up your at-home workouts with the best resistance bands to a brisk hike can help unwind and give a much-needed boost of clarity and positive vibes. 

And while gyms were closed and group sports were cancelled for the majority of this year, workouts didn’t stop as people took to at-home workouts or tried something completely new to get their daily endorphin boost. In data from 30 countries across the globe, ClassPass has revealed that yoga was the workout most people turned to this year, increasing in popularity by a massive 25 per cent. It seems the combination of exercise, mindfulness and meditation paired with millions of yoga tutorials online meant that people all over the world were turning to the ancient Indian practice to relax, unwind and get fit. 

woman doing lotus yoga pose at sunset

(Image credit: olegbreslavtsev/Getty Images)

Originating in ancient India, yoga consists of a series of poses joined together in a flowing sequence known as vinyasa, breathing exercises known as pranayama can make up part of the yogic sequence and sessions usually end with a period of meditation. There’s an abundance of styles and flows yoga fans can follow depending on individual preference and skill level. Yoga was also the most popular workout for someone taking their first livestream class proving anyone can get involved.

Sounds fun, how can I try yoga?!

• Sign up to Class Pass to find yoga classes in your area

• Head to YouTube to find millions of free follow along sessions, my current fave is Hatha Yoga Traditional Practice with Yogacharya Rakesh

• Check out Yogarise for online membership packs with 20% off 

The ClassPass study also revealed the most popular time to workout on a weekday is 12pm as people cram a sneaky workout into their lunch breaks, while the most popular day of the week to work out on is Wednesday.  

Lydia Swinscoe
Travel writer & editor

Lydia is a travel writer and editor, based mostly in London. Her work has been published in print and online for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Town&Country, BBC Good Food, Oh magazine, MailOnline, and woman&home.


A solo trip to Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico aged 19 kickstarted her travel addiction and she's since gone on to explore parts of 58 countries, returning to many often. Solo travel is her specialty, and she's happiest when hunting out great food while wearing flip-flops, preferably somewhere hot. Her award-nominated blog Lydia Travels documents artistic intimate hotels and brilliant restaurants across the globe. 


She began her career compiling fashion and beauty pages for teen magazines at the BBC where she interviewed and styled some of the world's biggest pop acts—from Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato to One Direction—before joining celebrity magazine Now, as Fashion and Beauty Director, and later Woman magazine as Lifestyle Director.


Follow Lydia on Instagram @lydiaswinscoe