Best Full Body Workouts for Beginners: 7 Easy Routines to Get You Started
Best Full Body Workouts for Beginners: 7 Easy Routines to Get You Started
Are you a busy professional looking to start your fitness journey but feel overwhelmed by complicated routines or the thought of hitting the gym? You’re not alone. Many beginners face the challenge of finding effective workouts that fit into a tight schedule and require minimal space and equipment. That’s why we've compiled this list of the best full body workouts specifically designed for beginners. Each routine is simple, effective, and can be done at home in just a short amount of time.
Quick Stats Box
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes including warm-up
- Equipment Needed: Yoga mat (optional), light dumbbells (5-10 lbs) optional
- Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
- Calories Burned: Approximately 150-250 calories depending on intensity
1. Bodyweight Circuit
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Jumping Jacks: 30 seconds
- Arm Circles: 30 seconds (15 seconds forward, 15 seconds backward)
- High Knees: 30 seconds
- Bodyweight Squats: 30 seconds
- Torso Twists: 30 seconds
Workout
| Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Bodyweight Squats | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep your chest up and back straight | Reduce depth of squat | | Push-Ups (Knee or Standard) | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Elbows at a 45-degree angle | Do on knees or against a wall | | Glute Bridges | 15 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Squeeze your glutes at the top | Single leg or double leg | | Plank | 20 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep your body in a straight line | Hold on knees |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Child’s Pose: 1 minute
- Seated Forward Bend: 1 minute
- Cat-Cow Stretch: 1 minute
Complete in: 25 minutes
2. Dumbbell Full Body Blast
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Dumbbell Deadlifts | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep your back straight, hinge at hips | Use no weights | | Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep elbows slightly in front | Seated position with lighter weights | | Dumbbell Rows | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Pull dumbbells towards your waist | Use no weights | | Russian Twists | 15 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep your core tight and back straight | Do without weights |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 30 minutes
3. Resistance Band Routine
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Resistance Band Squats | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep tension in the band | Use bodyweight only | | Band Chest Press | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep elbows at shoulder height | Do on the floor | | Band Seated Rows | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Squeeze shoulder blades together | Use lighter resistance | | Standing Band Lateral Raises | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Lift to shoulder height | Lower resistance band |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 30 minutes
4. Yoga Flow
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Duration | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Downward Dog | 30 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Press heels towards the ground | Bend knees | | Warrior I | 30 seconds per side | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep knee over ankle | Shorten stance | | Tree Pose | 30 seconds per side | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Engage core, find a focal point | Hold onto a wall | | Child’s Pose | 30 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Relax shoulders | N/A |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 25 minutes
5. Cardio and Core Combo
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Duration | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | High Knees | 30 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Pump arms for momentum | March in place | | Mountain Climbers | 30 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep hips low | Do on knees | | Bicycle Crunches | 30 seconds | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Rotate shoulder towards knee | Keep feet on the floor | | Side Plank (Knee or Standard) | 20 seconds per side | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep body in a straight line | Do on knees |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 30 minutes
6. Circuit Training
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Jump Squats | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Land softly to protect joints | Regular squats without jump | | Incline Push-Ups | 10 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep body straight | Do on knees | | Step-Ups | 12 reps | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Push through the heel | Use a lower step or no step | | Plank Shoulder Taps | 10 reps per side | 3 sets | 45 seconds | Keep hips stable | Hold plank on knees |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 30 minutes
7. HIIT for Beginners
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Same as above
Workout
| Exercise Name | Duration | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |---------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Burpees | 20 seconds | 3 sets | 40 seconds | Land softly, keep back straight | Step back instead of jump | | Bodyweight Lunges | 20 seconds | 3 sets | 40 seconds | Keep front knee over ankle | Shorter lunges | | Skaters | 20 seconds | 3 sets | 40 seconds | Jump side to side | Step instead of jump | | Plank | 20 seconds | 3 sets | 40 seconds | Keep body in a straight line | Hold on knees |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Same as above
Complete in: 30 minutes
Conclusion and Next Steps
These beginner-friendly full body workouts are designed to fit into your busy schedule while delivering effective results. Aim to incorporate these routines into your week, ideally 3 times with rest days in between. As you become comfortable, consider increasing your reps or sets, or even progressing to more challenging variations of each exercise.
For personalized coaching and real-time feedback, consider HipTrain's live 1-on-1 sessions with certified trainers. This is a great way to ensure you’re maintaining proper form and maximizing your workouts.
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