When it comes to getting in shape, there are a lot of options to choose from. You can go to a gym, hire a personal trainer, or try one of the many at-home workout programs available. If working out at home is more your style, here are some top bodyweight exercises to try.
Before getting started, be sure to do some research on which exercises are best for you. There are plenty of great online resources that can help you get started, or you can talk to a personal trainer about designing a program specifically for your needs.
There are five main types of bodyweight exercises that you can do from home:
Squats are a great bodyweight exercise to do from home! They work your entire lower body, including your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. squats are also a great way to improve your balance and coordination.
To do a squat, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees and sink your hips down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your back flat, and don't let your knees go past your toes. Drive through your heels to stand back up. Repeat for the desired number of reps.
Lunges are one of the best bodyweight exercises to do from home. They work your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and they’re easy to do!
To do a lunge, stand with your feet together. Step one foot forward and lower your body toward the floor. Keep your back straight and your front knee behind your toes. Push yourself back to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.
Pushups are one of the simplest and most effective bodyweight exercises you can do from home. They work your chest, shoulders, and triceps, and they can be modified to suit your ability level.
To do a basic pushup, start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Keeping your core engaged, lower yourself down until your chest touches the floor, then press back up to starting position. If you need to make it easier, you can drop to your knees instead of doing a full pushup.
If you're looking to make your pushups more challenging, try elevating your feet on a bench or stability ball, or add weight by wearing a weighted vest. You can also mix things up by doing incline pushups, decline pushups, or side-to-side pushups.
Crunches are a great bodyweight exercise to do from home. They work your abs and core and can be done with little to no equipment. To do a crunch, lie on your back on the floor and place your hands behind your head. Bring your knees in towards your chest, and use your abs to curl your upper body off the floor. Hold for a second, then slowly lower yourself back down. Repeat until you've completed 10-15 reps.
One of the best bodyweight exercises to do from home is a plank. Plank is a great exercise to work your core and overall strength. To do a plank, start in a push-up position, but with your weight on your forearms instead of your hands. Keep your body straight from head to heels, and hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
We hope these exercises help you in your fitness journey! If you're looking for more guidance, consider hiring a personal trainer who can work with you virtually. Virtual personal training is a great way to get the guidance and support you need to reach your fitness goals.
