5 Best Full Body Workouts for Busy Professionals
5 Best Full Body Workouts for Busy Professionals
Finding time to work out can feel impossible for busy professionals. Between meetings, deadlines, and personal commitments, squeezing in a workout often takes a back seat. But it doesn’t have to be that way. These five full body workouts are designed specifically for your hectic schedule, allowing you to maximize your time and get effective results without needing a gym.
Quick Stats Box
- Total Time: 20-30 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down)
- Equipment Needed: None (optional: light dumbbells)
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Calories Burned: Approximately 150-250 calories depending on intensity
1. Bodyweight Circuit
Complete in: 20 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes):
- Arm Circles: 30 seconds
- High Knees: 30 seconds
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Leg Swings: 30 seconds each leg
- Dynamic Lunges: 1 minute
Exercises: | Exercise | Reps | Sets | Rest | Tempo | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|-----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Push-Ups | 10-15 reps | 3 | 30 seconds | 2 seconds down, 1 up | Keep your body in a straight line. | Knee push-ups | | Bodyweight Squats | 15 reps | 3 | 45 seconds | 2 seconds down, 1 up | Squeeze your glutes at the top. | Squats to a chair | | Plank | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | N/A | Engage your core and keep hips level. | Knee plank | | Mountain Climbers | 30 seconds | 3 | 45 seconds | Quick pace | Drive your knees towards your chest. | Slow down for easier version |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes):
- Child's Pose: 1 minute
- Standing Forward Bend: 1 minute
- Seated Hamstring Stretch: 1 minute
2. HIIT Full Body Blast
Complete in: 25 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes):
- Jumping Jacks: 1 minute
- Arm Crosses: 1 minute
- Walking Lunges: 1 minute
- Butt Kickers: 1 minute
- Hip Circles: 1 minute
Exercises: | Exercise | Duration | Sets | Rest | Tempo | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|-----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Burpees | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Quick pace | Land softly and stand tall at the end.| Step back instead of jumping | | Skaters | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Quick pace | Keep your core engaged for balance. | Step instead of jumping | | Plank Jacks | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Quick pace | Maintain a straight line from head to heels.| Step out instead of jumping | | Jump Squats | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Quick pace | Land softly and keep knees behind toes.| Regular squats without jump |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes):
- Standing Quad Stretch: 1 minute
- Butterfly Stretch: 1 minute
- Side Stretch: 1 minute
3. Dumbbell Full Body Workout
Complete in: 30 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes):
- Arm Circles: 30 seconds
- Leg Swings: 30 seconds each leg
- High Knees: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Torso Twists: 1 minute
Exercises: | Exercise | Reps | Sets | Rest | Tempo | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|-----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Dumbbell Deadlifts | 12 reps | 3 | 45 seconds | 2 seconds down, 1 up | Keep the dumbbells close to your body.| Use no weights | | Dumbbell Shoulder Press| 12 reps | 3 | 45 seconds | 2 seconds up, 1 down | Press straight overhead without arching back.| Seated press with no weights | | Dumbbell Rows | 12 reps | 3 | 45 seconds | 2 seconds up, 1 down | Keep your back flat and pull to your hip.| Bent-over rows with no weights | | Dumbbell Lunges | 10 reps each leg | 3 | 45 seconds | 2 seconds down, 1 up | Step forward, keeping the front knee behind toes.| Bodyweight lunges |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes):
- Seated Forward Fold: 1 minute
- Shoulder Stretch: 1 minute
- Spinal Twist: 1 minute
4. Resistance Band Total Body
Complete in: 25 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes):
- Dynamic Stretching: 1 minute
- Arm Swings: 1 minute
- High Knees: 1 minute
- Side Lunges: 1 minute
- Hip Circles: 1 minute
Exercises: | Exercise | Reps | Sets | Rest | Tempo | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|-----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Band Squats | 15 reps | 3 | 30 seconds | 2 seconds down, 1 up | Keep tension in the band throughout. | Bodyweight squats | | Band Chest Press | 12 reps | 3 | 30 seconds | 2 seconds out, 1 in | Keep your elbows slightly bent. | Use lighter band or no band | | Band Rows | 12 reps | 3 | 30 seconds | 2 seconds pull, 1 release | Squeeze shoulder blades together. | Seated band rows | | Band Lateral Walks | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Quick pace | Keep a slight bend in your knees. | Step without resistance |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes):
- Standing Hamstring Stretch: 1 minute
- Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch: 1 minute
- Cat-Cow Stretch: 1 minute
5. Tabata Full Body Workout
Complete in: 20 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes):
- Skipping: 1 minute
- Arm Circles: 1 minute
- High Kicks: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Lunges: 1 minute
Exercises: | Exercise | Duration | Sets | Rest | Tempo | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|-----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Jumping Jacks | 20 seconds | 8 | 10 seconds | Quick pace | Jump wide and high, land softly. | Step side to side | | Push-Ups | 20 seconds | 8 | 10 seconds | Quick pace | Keep your body straight throughout. | Knee push-ups | | Squat Jumps | 20 seconds | 8 | 10 seconds | Quick pace | Land softly and use your arms to help. | Regular squats without jump | | Plank | 20 seconds | 8 | 10 seconds | N/A | Keep your core tight and back flat. | Knee plank |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes):
- Forward Fold: 1 minute
- Seated Butterfly Stretch: 1 minute
- Child's Pose: 1 minute
Conclusion
These five full body workouts are designed to fit into your busy schedule while still delivering effective results. Aim to incorporate these routines 3 times a week, ensuring you have rest days in between for recovery. For those looking to personalize their fitness journey, consider exploring live 1-on-1 video training with certified trainers who can provide real-time feedback.
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