Best Full Body Workouts for Busy Professionals: Top 5 to Try
Best Full Body Workouts for Busy Professionals: Top 5 to Try
In today's fast-paced world, busy professionals often struggle to find time for effective workouts. Whether it's a packed schedule, gym intimidation, or simply not knowing where to start, many end up skipping exercise altogether. But you don’t have to sacrifice your fitness. Here are the top 5 full body workouts designed specifically for your busy lifestyle. Each workout is efficient, requiring minimal space and no equipment, so you can easily fit them into your day.
Quick Stats Box
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down)
- Equipment Needed: None
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Calories Burned: Approximately 150-250 calories depending on intensity
Workout 1: Bodyweight Circuit
Complete in: 20 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Arm Circles: 30 seconds forward, 30 seconds backward
- High Knees: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Lunges: 1 minute (alternating legs)
- Jumping Jacks: 1 minute
Main Workout | Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|-----------|------|---------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Push-Ups | 10-15 | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep elbows close to your body | Knee push-ups | | Bodyweight Squats | 15-20 | 3 | 45 seconds | Squeeze glutes at the top | Chair squats | | Plank | 30 seconds| 3 | 45 seconds | Keep your body in a straight line | Kneeling plank | | Mountain Climbers | 30 seconds| 3 | 45 seconds | Drive knees towards your chest | Slow march in place | | Burpees | 8-10 | 3 | 1 minute | Jump high and land softly | Step back instead of jump |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Forward Fold: 1 minute
- Child’s Pose: 1 minute
- Seated Hamstring Stretch: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg)
Workout 2: HIIT Full Body Blast
Complete in: 25 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Butt Kicks: 1 minute
- Arm Swings: 1 minute
- Leg Swings: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg)
- Side Lunges: 1 minute
- Dynamic Stretching: 1 minute
Main Workout | Exercise Name | Duration | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------------|------|---------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Jump Squats | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Land softly with knees behind toes | Regular squats | | Push-Up with Shoulder Tap | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Keep hips stable while tapping | Knee version | | Skaters | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Jump side to side, land softly | Step instead of jump | | Plank Jacks | 30 seconds | 3 | 30 seconds | Keep core tight while jumping | Step out instead of jump | | High Knees | 30 seconds | 3 | 1 minute | Drive knees up to hip level | March in place |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Standing Quad Stretch: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg)
- Seated Forward Bend: 1 minute
- Cat-Cow Stretch: 1 minute
Workout 3: Strength and Mobility Flow
Complete in: 20 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Neck Rolls: 1 minute
- Arm Crosses: 1 minute
- Hip Circles: 1 minute
- Lateral Lunges: 1 minute
- Ankle Rolls: 1 minute
Main Workout | Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|-----------|------|---------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Glute Bridges | 15-20 | 3 | 45 seconds | Squeeze glutes at the top | Single-leg bridge | | Plank Shoulder Taps | 10-15 each side | 3 | 45 seconds | Control your body, keep hips stable | Kneeling version | | Reverse Lunges | 10 each leg | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep front knee behind toes | Step back instead of lunging | | Side Plank | 20-30 seconds each side | 3 | 45 seconds | Stack your feet and keep hips up | Kneeling side plank | | Superman | 10-15 | 3 | 1 minute | Lift arms and legs simultaneously | Alternating arm/leg lift |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Figure Four Stretch: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg)
- Cobra Stretch: 1 minute
- Supine Twist: 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
Workout 4: Tabata Total Body
Complete in: 20 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Jump Rope Simulation: 1 minute
- Arm Circles: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Hip Openers: 1 minute
- Torso Twists: 1 minute
Main Workout (20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8 rounds per exercise) | Exercise Name | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|------|---------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Jumping Jacks | 4 | 10 seconds | Land softly, keep knees behind toes | Step out instead of jump | | Push-Ups | 4 | 10 seconds | Keep body in a straight line | Knee push-ups | | Squat Jumps | 4 | 10 seconds | Jump high and land softly | Regular squats | | Plank | 4 | 10 seconds | Keep your body in a straight line | Kneeling plank | | High Knees | 4 | 10 seconds | Drive knees up to hip level | March in place |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Standing Hamstring Stretch: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg)
- Child’s Pose: 1 minute
- Wall Stretch: 1 minute
Workout 5: Dynamic Full Body Stretch and Strength
Complete in: 25 minutes
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Dynamic Leg Swings: 1 minute
- Arm Crosses: 1 minute
- Bodyweight Squats: 1 minute
- Hip Circles: 1 minute
- Torso Twists: 1 minute
Main Workout | Exercise Name | Reps | Sets | Rest | Form Cue | Modification | |-----------------------|-----------|------|---------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Lateral Lunges | 10 each side | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep the knee behind the toes | Step to the side instead | | Plank Up-Downs | 10-12 | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep hips stable while moving | Stay on knees | | Bicycle Crunches | 15-20 | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep lower back pressed into the floor | Regular crunches | | Wall Sit | 30 seconds| 3 | 1 minute | Keep knees behind toes | Shorter duration | | Side Plank with Leg Lift | 10 each side | 3 | 45 seconds | Keep your body in a straight line | Regular side plank |
Cool-Down (3-5 minutes)
- Lying Spinal Twist: 1 minute (30 seconds each side)
- Seated Forward Fold: 1 minute
- Child’s Pose: 1 minute
Conclusion
These full body workouts are designed for busy professionals looking to maximize their time and efficiency. Each workout can be completed in 20-25 minutes and requires no equipment, making them perfect for your home or a small space. Aim to incorporate these workouts 3 times a week, allowing rest days in between to recover.
As you progress, consider increasing the number of sets or reps, reducing rest time, or adding more challenging variations to keep your body adapting and improving.
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