Sometimes, the gym just isn’t happening. Maybe you’re traveling, maybe you’re on a budget, or maybe you just hate the whole gym scene (I’m not judging). But skipping workouts altogether isn’t ideal either. And the solution is Effective workouts without equipment!
I’ve personally found that bodyweight exercises can be surprisingly challenging and effective. Also, you can do them anywhere – at home, in a hotel room, even in the park. Let’s break down some effective workouts you can do without any equipment so you have no excuse not to break a sweat.
Benefits of Equipment-Free Workouts
Not everyone has access to a fancy gym or a bunch of expensive equipment. I know I’ve definitely had times when the budget just didn’t allow for it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good workout in! Bodyweight exercises are a surprisingly effective way to get in shape without spending a dime or even leaving your living room.
No gym membership required: Gyms can be expensive, intimidating, and just plain inconvenient. With bodyweight workouts, you can exercise anywhere, anytime. That means no more excuses about not having time to get to the gym!
Total freedom and flexibility: Bodyweight exercises can be tailored to your fitness level and goals. You can do a full-body routine, focus on specific areas like abs or legs, or just work on flexibility and mobility. Also, you can get creative and design your own workouts, making it a lot less boring than the same old gym routine.
Muscle building and fat burning: Don’t underestimate the power of your own bodyweight! You can absolutely build strength and endurance, and with the right exercises, you can definitely get your heart rate up and burn some calories.
Better balance and coordination: Using your own bodyweight as resistance often involves more coordination than using machines, which can help you improve your balance and agility. This is a major benefit, especially as we get older.
Mental benefits: Exercise is great for your mental health, but sometimes the gym scene can feel like too much. Equipment-free workouts can be a great alternative, especially if you struggle with gym anxiety. They’re less intimidating and can be done in the privacy of your own home.
No-equipment workouts are convenient, adaptable, and can be surprisingly challenging. They’re perfect for when you’re short on time, space, or money. Give them a shot, and you might be surprised at how much you can do with just your own bodyweight!
Bodyweight Exercises:
Upper body:
Push-ups (Variations)
They’re a classic bodyweight exercise, and everyone has an opinion on the best way to do them. As long as you’re using proper form and not hurting yourself, just find a variation that challenges you (and that you can actually do more than one of!). Here’s the lowdown on some common variations:
Standard Push-up: The OG.
- Starting Position: Get into a plank position, hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lowering Phase: Bend those elbows and bring your chest down towards the floor, keeping your body straight like a board.
- Pushing Phase: Now push back up, extending your arms until they’re straight. Repeat until your arms feel like noodles.
Incline Push-up: This is for when regular push-ups feel impossible.
- Starting Position: Find a sturdy surface like a bench, a chair, or even the wall if you’re really struggling. Put your hands on the edge, slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Lowering Phase: Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards whatever you’re leaning on, keeping your body in a straight line. Don’t let those hips sag!
- Pushing Phase: Push back up until your arms are straight. Repeat until you feel like you’ve made some progress.
Decline Push-up: For when you want to show off
- Starting Position: Get into a plank, but this time, put your feet up on a bench or chair.
- Lowering Phase: Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the floor, keeping everything straight. This is a lot harder, so don’t feel bad if you can only do a couple.
- Pushing Phase: Push back up until your arms are straight again. Feel the burn in your shoulders and triceps!
Diamond Push-up
- Starting Position: Same as a regular push-up, but this time your hands are close together, making a diamond shape with your thumbs and index fingers right under your chest.
- Lowering Phase: Bend your elbows and lower down, keeping those elbows tucked in. This one really targets the triceps.
- Pushing Phase: Push back up, extending your arms fully. Chances are you won’t be able to do as many of these as regular push-ups.
Don’t be a hero! If you’re shaking like a leaf, modify the move or switch to an easier variation. There’s no shame in that!
Tricep Dips (Variations)
If you’re like me, you probably love to hate these. They’re a killer for your triceps, but they can also be super awkward to do, depending on where you’re working out. Here’s few variations:
Chair Dips:
- Sit on the edge of a chair (or bench or anything sturdy) and grip the edge with your hands.
- Move your bum off the chair and hold yourself up with just your arms. You can keep your knees bent at first if it’s too hard.
- Slowly bend your elbows until your arms are at a right angle, then push yourself back up.
- Keep your back straight, and don’t swing your legs too much.
Bench Dips
- Grab two benches (or chairs that won’t slide around; trust me on this). Put them about shoulder-width apart.
- Put your hands on the edge of one bench, fingers pointing forward, and rest your heels on the other. Make sure they’re both stable; you don’t want to topple over.
- Lift your butt off the bench and slowly lower yourself down by bending your elbows. You’ll feel this one in your triceps and shoulders!
- Push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat until you’re seriously regretting your life choices.
- This variation is more challenging because you’re not getting any help from your legs. It’s a good one to work towards as you get stronger!
Floor Dips
- This one’s a good option if you don’t have any fancy gym equipment or stable furniture to use. It might look easy, but it’s a real challenge!
- Sit on the ground, knees bent, feet flat on the floor in front of you.
- Plant your hands behind you, shoulder-width apart, fingers facing forward.
- Now the hard part: lift your butt off the ground and lower yourself down using your arms. Don’t get discouraged if you need to use your feet for a little help at first.
- Push back up. It’s a smaller range of motion than the other dips, but you’ll still feel the burn.
- This is a good place to start if you’re a beginner. As you get stronger, try straightening your legs out in front of you to make it harder.
No matter which version you try, the most important thing is to use the proper form. Keep your back straight, and don’t let your hips sag. Also, don’t do these if you’re really sore from a previous workout!
Plank Variations
Forearm Plank (Standard Plank):
- Starting Position: Lie face down with your forearms on the ground and elbows directly under your shoulders. Extend your legs behind you, toes on the floor.
- Movement: Engage your core to lift your body off the ground, forming a straight line from head to heels.
- Hold: Maintain the plank position for as long as possible while keeping proper form.
Tips:
- Keep your neck neutral, looking at the floor.
- Avoid arching your back or letting your hips sag.
- Breathe deeply and evenly throughout the hold.
Side Plank:
- Starting Position: Lie on your side with your forearm on the ground, elbow directly under your shoulder. Stack your feet or stagger them for more stability.
- Movement: Lift your hips off the ground, forming a straight line from head to heels.
- Hold: Maintain the side plank position for as long as possible, then switch sides.
Tips:
- Keep your top arm extended towards the ceiling, or rest it on your hip.
- Engage your core and glutes to keep your body aligned.
- If you find it too challenging, bend your bottom knee and place it on the ground for support.
Spiderman Plank:
- Starting Position: Start in a standard plank position.
- Movement: Bring your right knee towards your right elbow, then return to the starting position. Repeat on the left side.
- Continue Alternate sides, bringing your knee towards your elbow with each repetition.
Tips:
- Keep your core engaged and body stable as you bring your knee towards your elbow.
- Maintain a controlled movement throughout the exercise.
Important Considerations for All Plank Variations:
- Proper Form: Maintain proper form throughout each exercise to avoid injury and maximize effectiveness.
- Listen to Your Body: Start with a manageable hold time or repetitions and gradually increase as your strength improves.
- Challenge Yourself: Once you’ve mastered the basic versions, try variations like raising an arm or leg or adding weights for increased difficulty.
- Incorporating these plank variations into your workouts will help you build core strength, improve stability, and enhance overall fitness.
Lower body:
Squats (Variations)
Standard Squat
- Starting Position: Feet shoulder-width apart (give or take). Turn those toes out just a bit – how much depends on your body, so don’t worry about being perfect.
- Lowering Phase: Stick your butt back like you’re about to sit down. Bend your knees, but keep your back flat and your chest up, and brace that core. Don’t be one of those people who stares at the floor – keep your eyes forward so you don’t lose your balance. Go down until your thighs are about parallel to the floor. Or until you feel like you can’t go any lower without collapsing. Whatever happens first.
- Pushing Phase: Drive those heels into the ground and stand back up. Pretend you’re pushing the entire earth away from you with your feet; that’s the kind of effort we’re going for! Squeeze your glutes at the top for good measure (and a little extra burn).
Jump Squat
- Start in that same squat position from before – feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed out slightly.
- Instead of just standing back up, push through your heels and jump up explosively. Let those arms swing up for a little extra help.
- As soon as you land (knees slightly bent to avoid jarring your joints), drop back into another squat and repeat. This one will get your heart rate going fast, so don’t expect to do a million of these!
Pistol Squat (Advanced)
- Stand on one leg: Pick a leg, any leg. Now, lift the other one out in front of you. Don’t fall over yet!
- The descent: Keeping your back straight and core engaged, bend the knee of your standing leg and lower yourself down as far as you can. Ideally, you want your butt to touch your heel, but just getting halfway down is an achievement at first.
- Pushing back up: This is the part where you realize your quads are about to explode. Push through your heel and try to return to the starting position. Don’t get discouraged if you need to use your hands for a little assistance at first.
Practice with a chair or something sturdy behind you so you can catch yourself if you lose your balance. And don’t even attempt these if you’re already sore from leg day.
Lunges (Variations)
Lunges look way easier on Instagram than they do in real life. They’re great for building strong legs and a toned butt, but let’s not sugarcoat it – they can be tough, especially if you’re still getting used to the whole balance thing. Here’s the lowdown on a few variations:
Forward Lunge: This is your classic lunge. Step forward, bend both knees until your front one is at a right angle, and push back up. Just try to keep your balance and don’t faceplant; it happens to the best of us!
Reverse Lunge: It’s basically the same thing as a forward lunge, except you step back instead of forward. I like these because they seem a little less awkward, but they still give your legs a killer workout.
Lateral Lunge: This one’s kinda weird if you’ve never done it before. Step out to the side with one leg, bend that knee, and keep your other leg straight. Then, push back to the starting position. Switch sides. It’ll work your inner thighs like crazy.
Curtsy Lunge: This one looks silly, but we’re not here to impress anyone with our lunging skills! Cross one leg behind the other, like you’re doing a curtsy, and then lower yourself down. Don’t worry about perfect form at first; just focus on the movement.
Walking Lunge: This one is definitely going to turn heads at the gym. Basically, you just lunge your way across the room, switching legs with each step. Make sure you have enough space, and don’t be surprised if people give you weird looks.
When you start out with lunges, your muscles will scream the next day if you overdo it. Start with a few reps of each variation and build up gradually. And don’t forget to stretch afterwards!
Calf Raises: Don’t Skip These!
Calves are like those muscles everyone forgets about until they’re trying on shorts for the first time since last summer. You don’t have to get super fancy with these, but doing calf raises regularly can actually make a big difference in how your legs look overall.
Single-Leg Calf Raise: You’ll need something to stand on for this one – the edge of a stair, a curb, maybe a stack of books if you’re really desperate (just be careful not to faceplant). Stand on one leg with your heel hanging off the edge. Lift that heel up until you’re basically on your tippy-toes, then slowly lower back down. Switch legs and do the same thing. It doesn’t look like much, but you’ll feel it working!
Double-Leg Calf Raise: This one’s the same idea, but use both feet on the step. It’s a good way to warm up before doing the single-leg version or if you just want an easier variation. To make it harder, try holding a heavy object – a couple of water bottles or even just your kid’s backpack will do the trick.
Core Exercises
If you’re like me, you’ve probably done a thousand crunches in your life and still don’t have that six-pack you see in fitness magazines. But a strong core is about way more than just having visible abs; it’s about stability, balance, and even helping prevent lower back pain.
Crunches (Variations): The Classic Ab Burner
Standard Crunch: This is the one we all know. Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat. Put your hands behind your head, and then use those abs to lift your shoulders off the ground. Repeat until you feel like you can’t lift anything heavier than a potato chip.
Bicycle Crunch: This one adds a twist (literally) to regular crunches. Lie on your back, hands behind your head. Now lift your shoulders and bring your right elbow towards your left knee while straightening your right leg. Repeat on the other side. Keep going until you forget which side you’re on.
Reverse Crunch: This one is supposed to target that stubborn lower-belly pooch. Lie on your back, knees bent like you’re sitting in an invisible chair, and try to bring your knees towards your chest by lifting your hips off the ground. Don’t cheat and swing your legs; it’s supposed to be a small, controlled movement. If you’re doing it right, you’ll feel those lower abs working!
Leg Raises: This is another one that looks easy but can be surprisingly tough. Lie on your back, legs straight up towards the ceiling (like you’re making a snow angel, but only with your legs). Now, slowly lower your legs towards the ground, keeping them straight. Don’t let them touch the floor, then raise them back up. If your back starts to arch, you’re not using your abs correctly.
Russian Twists
This one’s a classic for working your obliques (those side abs). It looks easy, but it gets brutal after a while. Here’s how to do it:
- Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet slightly off the floor. Don’t just plop down; engage those abs so you’re not slouching.
- Lean back a bit so you feel your core working. This is important, or you’ll be cheating!
- Put your hands together in front of you, or hold a weight if you’re feeling strong (a water bottle works).
- Twist your torso to one side like you’re trying to touch the floor with the weight.
- Twist to the other side. Keep twisting back and forth, and try not to collapse into a pile on the floor.
Mountain Climbers
This exercise might look a little silly, but it’s a real burner. You’ll be working your abs and getting your heart rate up, all without having to run a single step. Here’s how:
- Start in a push-up position (plank). You know, hands shoulder-width apart, body in a straight line.
- Now, bring one knee up towards your chest as fast as you can.
- As soon as your foot touches down, switch legs like you’re running in place.
- Keep going as fast as you can while still maintaining control. It’s not a race to see who can fall on their face first!
Plank Variations
These are another classic exercise that looks deceivingly easy. Hold yourself up on your forearms or hands; it’s no big deal. Even a short plank can make your abs and shoulders burn like crazy.
But planks are a great way to build core strength, which is important for everything from having good posture to preventing back pain. So even if you hate them, they’re worth doing.
Here are a couple of ways to make your planks a little more interesting (and challenging):
- Plank with Leg Lifts: Start in a regular plank position, either on your forearms or on your hands, whichever one doesn’t make you want to cry. Now lift one leg off the ground and try to hold it there for a few seconds. Don’t let your hips sag, or you’re cheating! Then, switch legs and repeat.
- Plank with Knee Tucks: This one is basically like doing mountain climbers, but without moving forward. It’s a good way to get your heart rate up while also working your core.
If your wrists hurt when you do a regular plank, try the forearm version. If your back starts to ache, drop down to your knees for a modified plank.
Full body:
Burpees
These are the kind of exercise that makes you question why you work out in the first place. They’re a full-body killer, guaranteed to leave you sweaty and out of breath.
- Squat: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, then squat down and put your hands on the floor in front of you.
- Plank: Kick your feet back so you’re in a push-up position, keeping your body straight.
- Push-up (Optional): If you’re a glutton for punishment, do a push-up. If not, skip it.
- Jump Back: Quickly jump your feet back in towards your hands, ending up in that squat position again.
- Jump Up: Explode up and throw your arms up in the air like you just won the lottery.
- Then, immediately do it all over again. And again. And again. You’ll get the hang of it (and start to feel the burn) pretty quickly.
Jumping Jacks
I know, jumping jacks seem like something you do in elementary school gym class. But if you do them fast enough, for long enough, they can actually be a decent cardio workout.
- Start: Stand with your feet together and arms at your sides.
- Jump Out: Jump your feet out wide and clap your hands overhead at the same time.
- Jump Back: Jump back to the starting position.
- Keep going: Don’t hurt yourself. But a consistent pace will help get that heart rate up.
Bear Crawls
This one might make you look a little silly, but it’s a surprisingly good way to work your whole body.
- Start on all fours, like a bear that’s about to do yoga or something. Hands should be under your shoulders, knees under your hips.
- Lift your knees a couple of inches off the ground so you’re balancing on your hands and toes. You should feel this in your core. If not, you’re probably doing it wrong (it happens to the best of us).
- Now try to crawl forward. It sounds easy, but this is the tricky part – move one hand and the opposite foot forward at the same time. It’s like you’re a baby learning to walk, but with extra limbs to coordinate.
- Keep at it! Switch sides with each step, and don’t stop until you feel the burn. It might not look like much, but trust me, it works.
HIIT Workouts:
HIIT is short for high-intensity interval training. Basically, you work really, really hard for a short burst, then rest or go easy for a bit. It’s like a rollercoaster for your heart rate (and the rest of your body).
What is HIIT?
HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief rest periods. This training style can be highly effective for improving cardiovascular fitness, burning calories, and building strength, all in a shorter amount of time compared to traditional workouts.
Sample HIIT Workout (Beginner)
Warm-up (5 minutes):
- Light cardio, like jogging in place or jumping jacks. Get the blood flowing, you know, the drill.
- Dynamic stretches like arm circles and leg swings. Loosen those joints up; they’re going to be working.
Workout (10-20 minutes, or however long you can survive):
This one’s a time-based routine, so grab a timer or use your phone:
- 30 seconds of jumping jacks (Go as fast as you can without faceplanting)
- 30 seconds rest (Rest; you’ll need it!)
- 30 seconds of squats (Don’t forget to keep that back straight)
- 30 seconds rest (Catch your breath…)
- 30 seconds of push-ups (On your knees is totally fine if you need to)
- 30 seconds rest
- Repeat this cycle for 10-20 minutes, depending on how much suffering you want to inflict on yourself.
Cool-down (5 minutes):
- Slow it down: Enough with the jumping jacks; walk around to cool off and avoid getting dizzy.
- Stretch it out: You’re going to be sore tomorrow, so hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Your muscles need this.
Modifications:
- Adjust as needed: This is just a starting point; you can tweak the exercises or change the timing to fit your fitness level. Don’t expect to be doing this perfectly the first time.
- If you’re already a HIIT pro, you can make the work periods longer. If you’re new to this, take longer breaks between the exercises.
- Listen to your body. If something hurts, don’t do it.
- If you’re new to this whole exercise thing or have any health conditions, talk to your doctor before starting a new workout routine.
Lower Body Burn
Don’t think resistance bands are just for your arms; they can actually make your leg day way more interesting (and painful). Looping a band around your thighs while doing squats or lunges adds an extra level of burn you won’t get with just body weight. This is how you get those muscles working in a way that just regular squats can’t match.
- Banded Lunges: Step on the middle of the band and hold the ends in your hands. Now, do lunges like you normally would, but that band is going to add some serious resistance. You can also try reverse lunges or lateral lunges with the band; it’s brutal but effective.
- Banded Glute Bridges: If you’re tired of those regular glute bridges feeling a little too easy, grab a resistance band and loop it around your thighs, right above the knees. Now, get into that same bridge position: lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. When you lift your hips, you’ll feel the extra tension in your glutes. It’s a totally different burn compared to a regular bridge!
Cardio Workouts:
Bodyweight Cardio Exercises
Cardio isn’t everyone’s favourite. But if you want to burn calories and get your heart pumping without dragging yourself to the gym, bodyweight exercises are a good option. Here are a couple of classics:
High Knees:
- The Move: Basically, run in place, but try to bring your knees up as high as you can towards your chest. Swing your arms like you’re actually running.
- The Reality: It’s like a slightly less embarrassing version of those high knees you had to do in gym class. It’s not super fun, but it’s a good way to get your heart rate up.
Butt Kicks:
- The Move: Also known as “running on the spot.” Just kick your heels up towards your butt as you run in place.
- The Reality: This one might not look as tough as some of the other exercises, but after a few minutes, you’ll definitely feel it in your hamstrings!
Designing Your Own Bodyweight Cardio Workout
Now that you have a few bodyweight exercises in your arsenal, let’s talk about how to actually put them together for a workout.
Timed Intervals: A Race Against the Clock
- Pick your poison: Choose 4 to 6 exercises that you want to do. This is your chance to mix and match based on what you like and what you hate. Personally, I always skip burpees if I can help it!
- Go hard and then rest: Do each exercise for 30-60 seconds, then rest for 15-30 seconds. The shorter your rest periods, the more intense the Workout will be.
- Repeat: Keep going through the cycle for 10-20 minutes, or however long you can handle. The first few times you do this, you’ll probably be ready to quit after one round. That’s okay, build up your stamina over time.
Rep-Based Intervals: Counting Those Reps
- Choose your moves: Same as before, pick 4-6 exercises you like.
- Set your reps: Instead of going for a certain amount of time, set a number of reps for each exercise. Start with something doable, like 10-15 reps per exercise.
- Short rest: Give yourself a few seconds to catch your breath and maybe question why you’re doing this.
- Repeat: Keep going through the circuit a couple of times…or more if you’re feeling masochistic. Two rounds are probably enough for most people.
- Adjust the reps: If ten reps feel too easy, bump it up a bit. If you’re struggling, cut back on the reps or take longer breaks. There’s no shame in modifying it to fit your fitness level!
Remember, working out shouldn’t feel like torture. If you dread your workouts, you’re not going to stick with them. Find something you enjoy (or at least don’t totally hate), and you’ll be way more likely to make it a habit.
Bodyweight Cardio Exercises: Get Your Heart Pumping
Cardio isn’t everyone’s favourite. But if you want to burn calories and get your heart pumping without the gym, bodyweight exercises can be a surprisingly good option.
Warm-up (5 minutes):
Forget complicated routines. Just move around to get your blood flowing and your muscles warmed up. Jumping jacks, jogging in place, whatever works for you. Then, do a few dynamic stretches like arm circles and leg swings.
The Workout (10-20 minutes, or however long you can handle):
Get a timer ready, and let’s get started! Here’s one round of the circuit:
- Jumping jacks (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- Squats (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- Push-ups (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- Mountain climbers (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- High knees (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- Butt kicks (30 seconds)
- Rest (30 seconds)
- Squat jumps (10 reps)
- Repeat that whole thing 2-3 times, depending on your fitness level and how much time you have.
Cool-down (5 minutes):
Slow things down and walk around to catch your breath. Then stretch out those muscles you just worked – hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Bodyweight Cardio Exercises: Get Your Heart Pumping
Circuit Training
If you’re like me and the idea of running on a treadmill makes you want to scream, circuit training might be your saving grace. It’s a way to get a decent workout in a short amount of time with minimal equipment (or none at all!). It’s basically doing a bunch of different exercises in a row with very little rest, then repeating the whole thing a few times. You’ll feel the burn.
Some Benefits:
- Time-saver: Sometimes, the gym (or even a dedicated workout time) just isn’t happening. Circuit training is perfect for when you have 20 minutes to spare.
- Strength + Cardio: It’s not just about muscle building – you’re getting your heart rate up too, which is important for overall fitness.
- You’re the boss: Pick exercises you don’t totally hate, adjust the number of reps and make it fit your fitness level and goals. There are a million variations to try!
Here’s a Beginner-Friendly Circuit:
Warm-up: A few minutes of light cardio and some dynamic stretches (arm circles, leg swings, etc.).
The Circuit: Repeat this 3-5 times, or more, if you’re feeling ambitious.
- 10 push-ups (drop to your knees if needed)
- 15 squats
- 20 jumping jacks
- 30-second plank (or as long as you can hold good form)
- Rest: Catch your breath for a minute or two between rounds. Don’t skip this – your body needs a break!
Cool-down: Do some static stretches to help your muscles recover.
Level Up Your Circuit:
As you get fitter, you can increase the number of reps, shorten the rest periods, or even add new exercises. Resistance bands or dumbbells can also add an extra challenge.
Here are some more exercise ideas for your circuit:
- Lower body: Lunges (forward, reverse, lateral), glute bridges, calf raises
- Upper body: Dips (using a chair or bench), rows (with resistance bands), bicep curls (with bands)
- Core: Crunches, planks, leg raises, Russian twists
- Full body: Burpees (the bane of my existence), squat jumps, mountain climbers
Remember, consistency is key! You’re not going to see results if you only do it once a month. Find a few exercises you actually enjoy, and get that heart pumping!
Conclusion
I used to think you needed a gym membership or a bunch of equipment to see real results, but I was totally Wrong. You don’t need expensive equipment to do everyday Workouts. I have mentioned too many options for Effective Workouts Without Equipment. If you’re short on time, broke, or just hate the gym scene, there’s still no excuse for skipping out on exercise. Your own body is a pretty decent gym, so get creative! There are tons of different bodyweight exercises, enough to keep things interesting (and you won’t get bored as easily as you do on the treadmill).
FAQ
Can I really build muscle and strength with only bodyweight exercises?
Absolutely! It’s a myth that you need fancy weights to see results. Your own body weight can provide plenty of resistance to challenge your muscles and help you get stronger. As you progress, make things harder by adding more reps, sets, or more challenging variations.
How long should a bodyweight workout for strength training last?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. It depends on your goals and current fitness level. But for most people, 30-45 minutes of focused, high-intensity bodyweight exercises is a good starting point. You can always adjust the duration as you get fitter.
Can I do these workouts at home, or do I need to go to a gym?
That’s the beauty of bodyweight workouts; you can do them wherever you have some space to move! Your living room, a park, a hotel room… It’s totally up to you.
How can I create a workout routine without equipment?
Don’t overthink it! There are tons of free routines online, or you can create your own by picking a few exercises for different muscle groups and doing them in a circuit. Start with 3 sets of 10-12 reps per exercise, and adjust as needed.
Is it necessary to follow a specific routine?
Not really. The most important thing is finding a routine that fits your life and that you’ll actually stick with. Some people thrive on following a set plan; others prefer to mix things up; do what works for you!
How often should I do these workouts to see results?
Aim for at least 3-4 days a week. But remember, consistency is more important than frequency. It’s better to do shorter, more frequent workouts that you can stick with than to try to do marathon workouts once a week and then burn out.