10 Full Body Workouts for Beginners That You Can Do at Home
10 Full Body Workouts for Beginners That You Can Do at Home
Finding the time to work out can be a challenge, especially for busy professionals. The thought of navigating a gym can be intimidating, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by complex routines. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your fitness journey, or if you’re worried about injuries, you’re not alone. The good news? You can kickstart your fitness journey with effective full body workouts that require no equipment and can be done right at home.
Quick Stats Box:
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes including warm-up and cool-down
- Equipment Needed: None
- Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
- Calories Burned: Approximately 150-250 calories depending on intensity
Warm-Up (5 Minutes)
Before starting the workouts, it's essential to warm up to prevent injuries and prepare your muscles. Here’s a quick 5-minute routine:
- Arm Circles
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your arms straight and make small circles, gradually increasing the size.
- Leg Swings
- Duration: 30 seconds (15 seconds per leg)
- Form Cue: Swing your leg forward and backward, keeping your upper body stable.
- Torso Twists
- Duration: 1 minute
- Form Cue: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and twist your torso side to side.
- High Knees
- Duration: 1 minute
- Form Cue: Run in place while bringing your knees up to hip level.
- Bodyweight Squats
- Duration: 1 minute
- Form Cue: Keep your chest up and push your hips back as you squat down.
Full Body Workouts
Here are 10 full body workouts that you can do at home. Each workout targets multiple muscle groups to maximize efficiency.
Workout 1: Bodyweight Squats & Push-Ups
-
Bodyweight Squats
- Reps: 15
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your weight in your heels and chest up.
- Modification: Chair squats (sit back on a chair and stand up).
-
Push-Ups
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Modification: Knee push-ups.
Workout 2: Plank & Glute Bridges
-
Plank
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your elbows under your shoulders and body straight.
- Modification: Plank on knees.
-
Glute Bridges
- Reps: 15
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Squeeze your glutes at the top for 2 seconds.
- Modification: Single-leg glute bridges.
Workout 3: Lunges & Superman
-
Forward Lunges
- Reps: 10 per leg
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your front knee over your ankle.
- Modification: Step back lunges.
-
Superman
- Reps: 12
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Lift your arms and legs simultaneously, squeezing your back.
- Modification: Alternating arms and legs.
Workout 4: Mountain Climbers & Tricep Dips
-
Mountain Climbers
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your core tight and drive your knees towards your chest.
- Modification: Slow pace or step in and out.
-
Tricep Dips (using a sturdy chair)
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your elbows close to your body as you lower down.
- Modification: Bend your knees to make it easier.
Workout 5: Burpees & Side Leg Raises
-
Burpees
- Reps: 8
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 45 seconds
- Form Cue: Jump up explosively and land softly.
- Modification: Step back instead of jumping.
-
Side Leg Raises
- Reps: 12 per side
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your leg straight and lift to hip height.
- Modification: Lying down instead of standing.
Workout 6: High Knees & Wall Sit
-
High Knees
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Pump your arms as you lift your knees high.
- Modification: March in place instead.
-
Wall Sit
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your back flat against the wall.
- Modification: Shorter duration.
Workout 7: Jumping Jacks & Russian Twists
-
Jumping Jacks
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep a steady rhythm and land softly.
- Modification: Step side to side instead.
-
Russian Twists
- Reps: 12 per side
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your back straight and twist from your torso.
- Modification: Feet on the ground.
Workout 8: Step-Ups & Bicycle Crunches
-
Step-Ups (using a sturdy chair)
- Reps: 10 per leg
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Step up fully and control your descent.
- Modification: Use a lower step or just march in place.
-
Bicycle Crunches
- Reps: 15 per side
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Bring your elbow to the opposite knee.
- Modification: Keep your feet on the ground.
Workout 9: Skaters & Plank Shoulder Taps
-
Skaters
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Jump side to side, landing softly.
- Modification: Step side to side instead.
-
Plank Shoulder Taps
- Reps: 10 per side
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Keep your hips stable as you tap your shoulders.
- Modification: Perform on knees.
Workout 10: Inch Worms & Cat-Cow Stretch
-
Inchworms
- Reps: 8
- Sets: 3 sets
- Rest: 30 seconds
- Form Cue: Walk your hands out to a plank and back to standing.
- Modification: Bend your knees while walking out.
-
Cat-Cow Stretch
- Duration: 1 minute
- Sets: 1 set
- Rest: None
- Form Cue: Alternate between arching and rounding your back.
- Modification: Hold the stretch longer if needed.
Cool-Down (3-5 Minutes)
Finish your workout with a cool-down to help your muscles recover.
-
Standing Forward Bend
- Duration: 1 minute
- Form Cue: Let your head hang heavy and breathe deeply.
-
Seated Hamstring Stretch
- Duration: 1 minute (30 seconds per leg)
- Form Cue: Keep your back straight and reach towards your toes.
-
Child's Pose
- Duration: 1 minute
- Form Cue: Relax your arms and let your forehead rest on the ground.
Summary Table of Exercises
| Exercise | Reps/Duration | Sets | Rest | |----------------------------|------------------------|------|---------------| | Bodyweight Squats | 15 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Push-Ups | 10 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Plank | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Glute Bridges | 15 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Forward Lunges | 10 per leg | 3 | 30 seconds | | Superman | 12 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Mountain Climbers | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Tricep Dips | 10 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Burpees | 8 | 3 | 45 seconds | | Side Leg Raises | 12 per side | 3 | 30 seconds | | High Knees | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Wall Sit | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Jumping Jacks | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Russian Twists | 12 per side | 3 | 30 seconds | | Step-Ups | 10 per leg | 3 | 30 seconds | | Bicycle Crunches | 15 per side | 3 | 30 seconds | | Skaters | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | | Plank Shoulder Taps | 10 per side | 3 | 30 seconds | | Inchworms | 8 | 3 | 30 seconds | | Cat-Cow Stretch | 1 minute | 1 | None |
Conclusion and Next Steps
These 10 full body workouts are designed to fit into your busy schedule while providing an effective way to improve your fitness at home. Aim to complete these workouts 3 times a week, with rest days in between to allow your muscles to recover.
As you build strength and confidence, consider progressing by increasing reps, sets, or reducing rest times. If you’re looking for personalized coaching and real-time feedback, consider trying HipTrain's 1-on-1 video training sessions, where certified trainers can guide you through your fitness journey.
Get Personalized Coaching with Real-Time Feedback
Live 1-on-1 sessions with certified trainers. HSA/FSA eligible. Try your first session free.