10 Best Full Body Workouts Under 20 Minutes
10 Best Full Body Workouts Under 20 Minutes
In our fast-paced lives, finding time to work out can feel impossible, especially for busy professionals juggling work, family, and other commitments. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the gym or hit a plateau, you're not alone. The good news? You can achieve an effective full-body workout in under 20 minutes, right from the comfort of your home. Here are the 10 best full-body workouts that will help you stay fit, burn calories, and build strength without needing bulky equipment.
Quick Stats Box:
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Equipment Needed: No equipment required (optional: light dumbbells)
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Calories Burned: Approximately 150-250 calories depending on intensity
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Start with this quick warm-up to get your body ready for the workout.
- Arm Circles - 1 minute (30 seconds forward, 30 seconds backward)
- High Knees - 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats - 1 minute (15 reps)
- Lateral Lunges - 1 minute (10 reps each side)
- Torso Twists - 1 minute
Full Body Workouts
1. Bodyweight Squats
- Reps: 15
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your chest up and knees behind your toes.
- Modification: Use a chair for support (easier) / Add a jump for intensity (harder).
2. Push-Ups
- Reps: 10-12
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Modification: Do on knees (easier) / Elevate feet on a step (harder).
3. Plank to Shoulder Taps
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your hips level while tapping.
- Modification: Drop to your knees (easier) / Add a push-up after each tap (harder).
4. Jumping Jacks
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Land softly; keep your knees slightly bent.
- Modification: Step side to side instead of jumping (easier) / Increase speed (harder).
5. Glute Bridges
- Reps: 15
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Squeeze your glutes at the top for 2 seconds.
- Modification: Lift one leg for more challenge (harder).
6. Mountain Climbers
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your core tight and move quickly.
- Modification: Slow down the pace (easier) / Increase speed for intensity (harder).
7. Reverse Lunges
- Reps: 10 each leg
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Step back far enough to keep your front knee over your ankle.
- Modification: Use a wall for balance (easier) / Add weights (harder).
8. Bicycle Crunches
- Reps: 15 each side
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your lower back pressed into the floor.
- Modification: Keep feet on the ground (easier) / Hold a weight (harder).
9. Burpees
- Reps: 8-10
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Jump explosively and land softly.
- Modification: Step back instead of jumping (easier) / Add a push-up (harder).
10. Side Plank
- Duration: 20 seconds each side
- Sets: 3
- Rest: 30 seconds between sets
- Form Cue: Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Modification: Drop your bottom knee to the ground (easier) / Lift your top leg (harder).
Workout Summary Table
| Exercise | Reps/Duration | Sets | Rest | Modification | |---------------------------|---------------|------|--------------|--------------------------------| | Bodyweight Squats | 15 | 3 | 30 seconds | Chair support / Jump squats | | Push-Ups | 10-12 | 3 | 30 seconds | Knees / Elevated feet | | Plank to Shoulder Taps | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Knees / Add push-up | | Jumping Jacks | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Step side to side / Increase speed | | Glute Bridges | 15 | 3 | 30 seconds | One leg lift | | Mountain Climbers | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Slow down / Increase speed | | Reverse Lunges | 10 each leg | 3 | 30 seconds | Wall support / Add weights | | Bicycle Crunches | 15 each side | 3 | 30 seconds | Feet on ground / Hold weight | | Burpees | 8-10 | 3 | 30 seconds | Step back / Add push-up | | Side Plank | 20 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Bottom knee down / Top leg lift |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
Finish your workout with this cool-down to help your body recover.
- Child's Pose - 1 minute
- Seated Forward Bend - 1 minute
- Figure Four Stretch - 30 seconds each leg
- Cat-Cow Stretch - 1 minute
Complete in: Approximately 20 minutes
Conclusion
These 10 full-body workouts are perfect for anyone looking to maximize their time and effort in a compact format. By incorporating these exercises into your routine 3 times a week, you’ll see improvements in strength, endurance, and overall fitness. If you want to take your workouts to the next level, consider personalized coaching for real-time feedback and form correction.
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