The ‘Wakeout’ app makes you feel better about sitting at your desk all day

is a weekly column where we review smart fitness machines and apps in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to technology, there are still plenty of ways to exercise if your gym is closed. 

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When I first started this column, it was only the beginning of quarantining with my parents in New Jersey. After escaping my cramped NYC apartment, I looked around at all the space I inherited and started filling almost every room in my house with new fitness machines on a weekly basis.

Typically, these machines are always picked up as soon as my review is live. But due to the coronavirus, their stay has been extended and space at home is running out. So, while I attempt to find ways to squeeze in more equipment, I’ve been relying heavily on the App Store for workout inspiration.

I recently stumbled on one that’s effective but also kinda funny. And, considering the state of our world, I needed a good laugh. The app is called Wakeout and it’s described as “exercise for busy people.” According to my friends and especially my family, I’m always busy — with what, you ask? I truly do not know but I can assure you it’s probably work-related.

Regardless, Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference this past Monday made this an incredibly hectic week, so it was the perfect app for the moment. 

Available on both Android and iOS, Wakeout offers a variety of different 30-second workouts that are designed pertaining to your setting. Whether that’s at the office, in your living room, at the park, and even on a plane, the app has a ton of different short workouts to make you feel less awful about sitting for long periods of time.

I can confirm that all I’ve been doing this week is staring at my laptop from morning until night and then laying in my bed scrolling through TikTok for a few more hours. So, as you can see, there hasn’t been much movement. 

It’s not free though —  while you can take advantage of the seven day free trial, you’ll have to choose between a monthly subscription of $4.99 per month or $48 for the entire year. But you can also add up to six people to either subscription plan.

But the Wakeout app allowed me to feel less bad about it. I’d squeeze in a quick 30-second workout when I woke up, as well as throughout the day while sitting at my desk.

I mentioned before that it’s “kinda funny,” and the reason I say this is because while the exercise moves are common, some of the options seemed a little ridiculous. I mean, there’s one that’s specifically meant for a coffee shop (remember those?) which is understandable, but my social anxiety would easily pass on that one. 

On the home screen of the app, you can choose between Home Wakeouts, Workplace Wakeouts, Travel Wakeouts, and Outdoor Wakeouts. I typically stuck to the home and workplace sections given the crazy week. 

Whenever you choose a specific workout, you’ll have the option to pick from the following moods: relaxing, energizing, intense, and fun. You can also the duration of the workout with options between 30 seconds, 90 seconds, and 2 and a half minutes.

Once the workout starts, you’ll see a video demonstration of the specific move, the title of it underneath, and a 30-second countdown for each exercise. As far as moves go … this is where you might have to keep from laughing.

Workouts in your room, for when you just wake up, include moves like Pillow Brawl, where you have to toss your pillow up in the air as many time as possible in 30 seconds. It sounds ridiculous but if your pillow is as heavy as mine, you’ll start to feel your arms burning a little. Then, there’s also Pillow Strangler, where you squeeze your pillow as tight as you can. 

My favorite one of all was Pillow Punisher, where you actually punch your pillow for 30 seconds straight. I highly recommend this one if you’re like me and very insufferable in the morning. But I’d wait to drink your coffee till afterwards to prevent from feeling like you’re going to throw up. Trust me on that one.

Speaking of coffee, there were plenty of kitchen exercises that I did while waiting for my coffee to brew. All it required was two cans (of anything you have in your cabinet) and I was off doing weighted arm raises and uppercuts for 30 seconds each. 

Usually, I take this time to zone off into another dimension while staring at the kitchen floor or maybe scroll through social media on my phone. But using the app to work out instead actually made me feel far more productive.

Meanwhile, throughout the day, I’d try out some of the desk workouts like side-step chair pulls, elbow flaps, and squats. 

I mostly stuck to the Energizing and Intense categories though, because some of the “Fun” ones were super corny. The one pictured up top is a prime example — there was no way I was going to use my cutting board to exercise.

You can also set yourself “smart reminders” which send push notifications to your phone to remind you to workout. I made sure to to time them for the morning, a couple during the mid afternoon, and then one more before bed. That way, I was also reminding myself to actually get up and move around, too.

Image: screenshot / wakeout

Look, there’s no denying that parts of the app are certainly super weird. But during a hectic week such as this one, it was a relief to not have to pull out extra equipment. 

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the $4.99 per month, I’d say it is. But only if your job leaves you glued to your chair for hours on end and you find yourself way too tired to workout in the morning or at night. With over 300 workouts available on the app, it’s tough to run out of options.

As for me though, let’s just say I’m very excited to get back to testing fitness machines. In fact, I’ll be spending the weekend making room for them.