30 Exercises For The Best At-Home Workout Routine For All Levels

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Strength training is crucial for building muscle strength and definition and optimizing health, functional independence, and quality of life. We require muscular strength and endurance in all daily activities involving lifting, pulling, carrying, and walking. You can achieve an effective workout at home, regardless of whether you have gym access or not.

In this article, we discuss 30 of the best at-home workouts targeting all major muscle groups. We have categorized them into beginner, intermediate, and advanced fitness levels for programming purposes. However, they are easily customizable and can be modified based on your goals and experience.

Continue reading for instructions on performing this full-body bodyweight workout at home. We also provide tips on maximizing muscle engagement and activation to achieve the best results.

Best At Home Workout Routine For All Levels

Strengthen your body with our tailored at-home workout routines designed for all fitness levels:

Each routine targets major muscle groups, with clear guidance provided for optimal results. Adjust based on your fitness goals!

Best At Home Workout Routine

The following routines target and strengthen your full body using body weight for an effective stimulus. They are categorized by fitness level into beginner, intermediate, and advanced routines. They each follow a circuit format and can be modified as needed based on your unique goals.

Beginner Routine

The following routine is one of the best at-home workouts for beginners. The upper-body movements primarily work the shoulders and chest while the lower-body movements target the glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. The upper arms, hamstrings, core, and spinal muscles also engage to provide stability in many of the exercises.

This routine is ideal for beginners starting a resistance training program to help build lean muscle mass and strength.

Exercise

Sets

RepsDurationRest (between sets)
Knee Push-Up2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Plank To Downward Dog2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Plank Hold2 sets15–30 seconds30 seconds
Glute Bridge2 sets15–30 seconds30 seconds
Chair Squat2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Side Lying Hip Abduction2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Standing Calf Raise2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Bird Dog2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Straight-leg Donkey Kick2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Bicycle Crunch2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Beginner Routine

Intermediate Routine

The next routine is slightly more challenging and geared toward intermediate-level exercisers. The upper-body exercises engage the shoulders, chest, and back while the lower-body exercises target the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. 

Similar to the beginner routine, this program improves strength and muscle building using bodyweight resistance.

Exercise

Sets

RepsRest (between sets)
Push-Up 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Single-Leg Glute Bridge 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Bodyweight Squat 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Pike Push-Up 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Superman 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Lunge 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Plank Alternating Leg Lift 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Dead Bug 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Calf Raise From Deficit 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Mountain Climber 2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Intermediate Routine

Advanced Routine

The final routine is an advanced version geared toward experienced fitness gurus who have already mastered the previous exercises. Like the other routines, it targets all major muscle groups. The primary upper-body movers are the shoulders, chest, and upper arms, while the lower-body movers are the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

The core and spinal muscles also engage throughout each movement to provide lower-back support and stability. 
This program uses more challenging movement patterns and incorporates high-intensity exercises like burpees for increased cardiovascular stimulation.

Exercise

Sets

RepsRest (between sets)
Decline Push-Up2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Jump Squat2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Decline Pike Push-Up2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Bodyweight Bulgarian Squat2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Advanced Bird Dog2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Side Plank Hip Abduction2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
V-Up2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Low Plank Leg Lift2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Burpee2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Inchworm2 sets10–15 reps30 seconds
Advanced Routine

30 Exercises For The Ultimate Home Workout

Below, we provide a detailed description of each exercise in the routine. This includes programming guidance, anticipated benefits, and muscles worked.

Knee Push-Up

Knee push-ups are a modified version of the traditional push-up that primarily targets your shoulders, arms, and chest. They also engage the core and spine to stabilize the torso and maintain control. 

Knee push-ups include many of the same benefits as push-ups. Some of the main ones include toning the upper body, building core strength, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Knee Push-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin in a kneeling position with your arms fully extended. Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width, palms flat on the ground.
  2. Position your legs behind you, forming a line with your body from your head to your knees on the ground.
  3. Inhale to engage your core. 
  4. Exhale as you slowly lower your chest down to the ground, flexing your elbows to 90 degrees.
  5. When your chest reaches the floor, hold for a count and concentrate on squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Inhale to lift back up to the starting position. 
  7. Repeat for the desired repetitions and sets.

Plank To Downward Dog

The plank to downward dog is a dynamic movement that works many different muscles throughout your body. The plank movement targets the core, shoulders, and arms while the downward dog position engages the back and legs. It provides a gentle stretch to the calves and hamstrings to improve flexibility.

Plank To Downward Dog Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying face down on the floor with your forearms flat and elbows under your shoulders. Your arms should be shoulder-width apart.
  2. Tuck your toes, inhale, and engage your core.
  3. Raise your body off the ground to form a straight line from your head to your feet.
  4. Concentrate on engaging your core and upper body muscles simultaneously. 
  5. Push your hips and glutes upward to form an inverted V shape with your body.
  6. Focus on engaging your core to avoid straining the lower back. Feel the stretch in your lower back, calves, and hamstrings. 
  7. Breathe steadily throughout the exercise.
  8. Slowly lower back down to the floor to finish.
  9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

Plank Hold

Plank holds are a beneficial compound exercise that works nearly every muscle in your body. They primarily target the core but also engage the back muscles, shoulders, legs, and arms. Planks are a valuable addition to ab workouts at home engaging multiple core muscles as a beneficial core stability exercise.

Plank Hold Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying face down on the floor with your forearms flat and elbows under your shoulders. Your arms should be shoulder-width apart.
  2. Tuck your toes, inhale, and engage your core.
  3. Raise your body off the ground to form a straight line from your head to your feet.
  4. Concentrate on engaging your core and upper body muscles simultaneously. 
  5. Hold the position for a length of time based on your fitness routine and goals.
  6. Focus on keeping your body straight so your hips don’t drop or raise out of alignment. 
  7. Breathe steadily throughout the exercise.
  8. Slowly lower back down to the floor to finish.
  9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

Glute Bridge

The glute bridge is a valuable exercise for isolating and toning the glutes and hamstrings while stabilizing the hips and core. Improved glute strength and endurance was found to play a role in preventing athletic-related injuries. It also enhances functional performance in everyday tasks such as squatting to lift heavy objects and walking. 

Glute Bridge Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying on a mat with knees bent and feet flat, hip-width apart. Your arms should be resting by your side.
  2. Make sure your knees are aligned with your hips. Inhale and engage your core to flatten your lower back against the ground and stabilize your hips.
  3. Exhale as you lift your hips off the ground by pushing through your heels. Continue until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. 
  4. Hold at the top for a count, squeezing your glutes for maximum engagement.
  5. Inhale as you slowly lower your hips back to the starting position, maintaining control.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Chair Squat

The chair squat is a beneficial squat variation for strengthening the lower body muscles of the hamstrings and glutes. It also encourages hip and core stabilization to maintain control while you lower down to the chair. Squat variations like the chair squat stimulate caloric burn by targeting your largest muscle groups.

Chair Squat Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by standing in front of a chair with your feet hip-width apart. You can place your hands at your sides or on your hips. 
  2. Inhale and engage your core. 
  3. Bend your knees to lower yourself into the chair or hover just above it.
  4. Hold this position and concentrate on squeezing the glutes and thighs.  
  5. Exhale as you slowly push yourself back up to standing.
  6. Repeat this movement for the desired sets and duration.

Side Lying Hip Abduction

The side lying hip abduction movement primarily targets the obliques and hip abductors as well as the spinal muscles. It aims to enhance balanced development in the hips and glutes by working each side independently. It can also improve pelvic stability and hip mobility by engaging your hip abductors to lift each leg.

Side Lying Hip Abduction Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying on your side on a mat with your legs stacked on top of each other. Your forearm on the ground should be flat with your elbow flexed to 90 degrees. The other arm should be resting on your side.
  2. Inhale, and engage your core.
  3. Lift your top leg upward several inches by engaging your hip abductor muscle. Hold this position for several seconds.
  4. Focus on breathing and keeping your core engaged to reduce lower-back strain. 
  5. Slowly lower the leg down to the floor to complete the rep.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets on that side before switching sides.

Standing Calf Raise

The standing calf raise is a simple yet effective lower-leg strengthener. It targets your calf muscles which engage during all lower body activities like climbing, walking, and running.

The calves also support the quads, glutes, and hamstrings to absorb force during high-impact sports and lower-body lifts. As a result, this exercise improves overall lower body strength, balance, and stability.

Standing Calf Raise Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Stand up straight with your arms by your sides and feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Inhale and engage your core. 
  3. Lift your heels to stand on the balls of your feet. Keep your chest up and look forward with a neutral back position.
  4. Hold this position for a count and concentrate on squeezing your calf muscles while exhaling. 
  5. Inhale and slowly lower your heels back down.
  6. Repeat for the desired sets and repetitions.

Bird Dog

The bird dog is a compound movement that engages multiple muscles including the core, spine, glutes, and shoulders. It engages the core to stabilize the torso and keep the spine aligned. It also improves balance and coordination required to perform the dynamic movement pattern on both sides of your body. 

Bird Dog Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin kneeling with your palms flat on the ground beneath your shoulders. 
  2. Your back should be flat and stable. 
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Exhale and simultaneously extend your right arm in front of you and extend your left leg behind you. 
  5. Hold for several seconds and concentrate on squeezing your core, left glute, and right shoulder.
  6. Inhale to return to the starting position. 
  7. Repeat for the desired reps on that side and then switch sides.

Straight-Leg Donkey Kick

The straight-leg donkey kick is a lower-body workout that builds muscle and definition using only body weight. It primarily targets the glutes and hamstrings and efficiently helps reduce muscle imbalances by working each side independently. It is an excellent glute exercise for beginners by utilizing low-impact repetitive movements for a safe, effective stimulus.

Straight-Leg Donkey Kick Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin kneeling with your palms flat on the ground beneath your shoulders. 
  2. Your back should be flat and stable. 
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Exhale and extend your right leg behind you. 
  5. Begin pulsing the leg up and down while squeezing your right glute.
  6. Breathe steadily as you complete the desired reps on that side. 
  7. Lower the right leg and repeat on the left side.
  8. Repeat for the desired reps and sets on each side.

Bicycle Crunch

The bicycle crunch is a dynamic variation to the traditional crunch that resembles cycling on your back. It mainly engages your obliques and rectus abdominis which are primary core muscles. 

It also encourages spinal stabilization to keep the back strong and stable. This can help reduce low back pain related to spinal muscle fatigue and imbalances.

Bicycle Crunch Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and hands placed behind your head.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and simultaneously pull your left elbow down across your body and bring your right knee up to meet it. 
  4. Return to the starting position and repeat with the right elbow and left knee. Continue this cycling motion for the remaining reps.
  5. Breathe steadily throughout while engaging your abs.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Push-Up

Push-ups are a classic movement that works your shoulders, upper arms, core, and chest. This makes them excellent movements to add to chest workouts at home. There are many benefits of push-ups including improving upper-body functional performance, core strength, and endurance. 

Push-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin in a plank position with your arms fully extended. Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width, palms flat on the ground.
  2. Your legs should be straight back behind you, forming a line with your body from your head to your feet.
  3. Inhale to engage your core. 
  4. Exhale as you slowly lower your chest down to the ground, flexing your elbows to 90 degrees.
  5. When your chest reaches the floor, hold for a count and concentrate on squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Inhale to lift back up to the starting position. 
  7. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Single-Leg Glute Bridge

The single-leg glute bridge is an excellent bodyweight exercise for isolating and strengthening the gluteus and hamstrings. These muscles are essential for running and performing daily tasks like climbing stairs and walking. This exercise also enhances gluteal strength and endurance playing a role in preventing injuries in active individuals.

Single-Leg Glute Bridge Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying on a mat with knees about hip-width apart. Your right knee should be bent and the left extended. Your arms should be resting by your side. 
  2. Inhale and engage your core to flatten your lower back against the ground and stabilize your hips.
  3. Exhale as you lift your hips off the ground by pushing through the heel of your bent right leg. Continue until your body is straight from your shoulders to your knees. 
  4. Hold at the top for a count, squeezing your right glute to engage.
  5. Inhale as you slowly lower back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout the movement.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps on the right side and then switch to the left side. 

Bodyweight Squat

Bodyweight squats are a beneficial compound exercise that targets all major lower-body muscle groups. They are especially effective for building strength in the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Bodyweight squats stimulate muscle hypertrophy and increase caloric burn as they work some of our largest muscles.

Bodyweight Squat Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin standing with feet shoulder-width apart and arms out straight in front of you.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and slowly lower your body while maintaining an upright posture. Focus on keeping your upper back straight and pushing your hips back like sitting on a chair.
  4. Lower until your knees are fully flexed with your hips at knee level. Hold for one count while squeezing your glutes and quads.
  5. Inhale as you slowly rise back up to the starting position. 
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Pike Push-Up

Pike push-ups are a more challenging variation of the push-up performed with your hips raised instead of from a plank. This altered positioning provides a varied stimulus to the target muscles which helps avoid training stagnation. 

This workout efficiently works the shoulders and triceps due to the elevated hip stance. This makes it an effective addition to tricep workouts at home. Studies on muscle activation rates found the triceps can reach 40%–50% of maximum voluntary contraction during the push-up. 

Pike Push-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Find a mat or comfortable padded area at home or in a gym.
  2. Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders. The balls of your feet should be on the ground.
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Raise your hips and walk your hands back until you are in a downward dog position. Keep your arms and legs straight. 
  5. Flex your elbows and lower your head down to the floor. Pause at the bottom and squeeze your shoulder blades together. 
  6. Exhale as you push your body back up to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of reps and sets.

Superman

The Superman is a beneficial back exercise that strengthens and stretches the spinal muscles, glutes, and hamstrings. It is sometimes used as a backbend finisher in yoga routines making it helpful for reducing chronic lower back pain. It is versatile and simple, making it a popular addition to back workouts at home for many fitness enthusiasts.

Superman Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Find a comfortable padded area or mat.
  2. Begin lying facedown with your arms extended out in front of you and your legs straight back behind you. 
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Exhale and simultaneously lift your arms and legs to come into a V shape. 
  5. You should feel a stretch in the lower back. Squeeze your core and glutes to reduce strain on the lower back while holding this position for several seconds.
  6. Inhale as you lower your body back to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of reps and sets.

Lunge

The lunge is a popular exercise for building lower-body strength in the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. They increase functional strength used in daily tasks like squatting to lift heavy objects, climbing stairs, and walking. 

This exercise also engages the hip stabilizers and lower back. It helps improve coordination and balance by challenging the body to remain steady and upright.

Lunge Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart, and hands on your hips. 
  2. Inhale and engage your core. 
  3. Take a step forward with your right foot, bending your knee to a 90-degree angle. Don’t let the knee extend over your right foot.
  4. Hold at the bottom movement for a count, squeezing your glutes and quads to engage fully.
  5. Exhale as you step your back up and return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat on the left side. Continue for the intended number of reps and sets for each side.

Plank Alternating Leg Lift

Plank alternating leg lifts are a stimulating plank variation that increases focus on the glutes to build leg strength. It primarily targets the core, glutes, and shoulders for an effective full-body workout. It is low-impact and effective for all fitness enthusiasts to increase core stability while simultaneously building glute strength.

Plank Alternating Leg Lift Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin in a high plank position with your arms extended and palms beneath your shoulders. Your legs should be extended out behind you.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and simultaneously lift your left leg several inches behind you. 
  4. Hold this position for several seconds and then bring it back down.
  5. Repeat on the right side, breathing steadily throughout while engaging your abs and glutes.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Dead Bug

The dead bug is a beneficial core movement that engages multiple muscles including the core, spine, glutes, and shoulders. It primarily engages the core and back muscles to stabilize the torso and keep the spine aligned. It also improves balance and coordination while performing the dynamic movement pattern with control and stability.

Dead Bug Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Lie on the floor with your back straight, arms by your sides, and legs extended in front of you.
  2. Lift your hands so your elbows are above your shoulders with your palms facing each other.
  3. Lift your legs so your knees are over your hips and bent at a 90-degree angle.
  4. Exhale and slowly lower your right arm and left leg until they are just above the floor.
  5. Inhale to bring them back to the starting position. Perform each movement slowly and with control, engaging your core throughout.
  6. Repeat on the opposite side and then start over for the desired number of sets.

Calf Raise From Deficit

The calf raise from deficit resembles the standing calf raise but adds a challenge to perform it with heels lowered. It mainly targets your calf muscles while the glutes and hamstrings also provide support. As the standard calf raise, it improves overall lower-body stability, strength, and balance.

Calf Raise From Deficit Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Stand with your toes on a step or box, arms by your sides, and feet shoulder-width apart. 
  2. Inhale and engage your core. 
  3. Lower your heels down and then squeeze your calves to bring them back up. 
  4. Concentrate on breathing steadily throughout. 
  5. Repeat for the desired sets and repetitions.

Mountain Climber

Mountain climbers are a powerful, advanced exercise that works your entire body. They engage your arms, shoulders, glutes, and core and use high intensity to spike the heart rate. This provides an effective workout in a short amount of time.

In addition to cardiovascular benefits, mountain climbers improve full-body agility and coordination. They also enhance core and spinal stability, which may contribute to improved posture and balance.

Mountain Climber Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin in a high plank position with your palms flat on the ground beneath your shoulders.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and drive your right knee upward until it almost reaches your right elbow.
  4. Hold here for a count, engaging your core and upper body.
  5. Extend your right leg back behind you to return to the high plank position.
  6. Repeat the movement on your left side to complete the first repetition.

Decline Push-Up

The decline push-up increases the challenge of the traditional push-up by raising your feet behind you. This increases the load on the shoulders and upper arms. This movement has all the same benefits of push-ups including increasing shoulder stability and enhancing balance.

Decline Push-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Stand in front of a sturdy bench. Ensure it’s at a height that allows you to raise your legs and extend them against the bench surface. 
  2. Kneel with your hands directly below your shoulders and extend your arms. Kick both feet back, bringing them onto the bench.
  3. Inhale and engage your core. 
  4. Flex your elbows and lower your chest down to the floor. Pause at the bottom and squeeze your shoulder blades together. 
  5. Exhale as you push your body back up to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

Jump Squat

Jump squats are a challenging high-intensity squat variation that targets all major lower-body muscle groups. They build strength in the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Additionally, they use explosive powerful jumps to increase the heart rate for cardiovascular benefits.

Jump Squat Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin standing with feet shoulder-width apart and arms out in front of you.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and slowly lower your body while maintaining an upright posture. Focus on keeping your upper back straight and pushing your hips back.
  4. Lower until your knees are fully flexed with your hips at knee level. Hold for one count while squeezing your glutes and quads.
  5. Inhale, jump up with power and control and transition seamlessly back into the squat position as you land.
  6. Continue breathing steadily throughout as you perform the remaining reps.
  7. Repeat for the desired sets.

Decline Pike Push-Up

The decline pike push-up combines the decline push-up with the pike push-up for a next-level challenge. It elevates your feet during the pike push-up to add even more intensity to the shoulders. This also targets the upper chest and tricep muscles.

This movement is tough but has many benefits including improved upper-body symmetry, shoulder mobility, and coordination.

Decline Pike Push-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Stand in front of a sturdy bench. Ensure it’s at a height that allows you to raise your legs. Make sure you’re able to extend them against the raised surface. 
  2. Kneel with your hands directly below your shoulders and extend your arms. Kick both feet back, bringing them onto the bench.
  3. Inhale and engage your core. 
  4. Raise your hips and walk your hands back until you are in a V position. The balls of your feet should be on the bench with your arms and legs straight. 
  5. Flex your elbows and lower your head down to the floor. Pause at the bottom and squeeze your shoulder blades together. 
  6. Exhale as you push your body back up to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

Bodyweight Bulgarian Squat

The Bulgarian squat is a powerful lower body strengthener that targets your glutes while testing your balance and stability. It is performed on each side with one leg raised on a chair behind you. It is a beneficial addition to leg workouts at home and can be performed anywhere without equipment.

Bodyweight Bulgarian Squat Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin standing in front of a sturdy chair or bench. Your arms should be by your sides or out in front of you. 
  2. Place your right foot on the chair behind you.
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Exhale and slowly bend your left knee while keeping your spine straight and strong.
  5. Lower until your knee is flexed to 90 degrees. Hold for a few seconds while squeezing your left glutes and quads.
  6. Inhale as you slowly rise back up to the starting position. 
  7. Repeat for the desired reps on the left side and switch sides.

Advanced Bird Dog

The advanced bird dog resembles the traditional bird dog but adds a step to bring each elbow down to touch the opposite knee. This exercise is similar to a crunch by increasing focus on the core while strengthening the spine, glutes, and shoulders. 

Additional benefits include improved coordination to perform the dynamic movement pattern with control and stability. Furthermore, the standing bird dog variation was found to reduce low back pain

How To Do

  1. Begin kneeling with your palms flat on the ground beneath your shoulders. 
  2. Your back should be straight and stable. 
  3. Inhale and engage your core.
  4. Exhale and simultaneously extend your right arm in front of you and extend your left leg behind you. 
  5. Then, bring your right elbow to meet your left knee.
  6. Hold here for a count, squeezing your core muscles.
  7. Inhale to extend the right arm and left leg again. 
  8. Repeat that step for the desired reps on the right side and then switch sides.

Side Plank Hip Abduction

The side plank with hip abduction is a beneficial compound exercise that works most major muscles in your body. It targets the core while engaging the hip abductors, back muscles, shoulders, and arms. 

This exercise improves postural control and balance by requiring you to perform the movement on one side. It also reduces hip muscle imbalances and improves pelvic stability during the abduction movement.

Side Plank Hip Abduction Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin by lying on your side on a mat with your legs stacked on top of each other. Your forearm on the ground should be flat with your elbow flexed to 90 degrees. The other arm should be resting on your side.
  2. Inhale, and engage your core.
  3. Lift your hips off the ground to form a straight line from your head to your feet.
  4. Concentrate on engaging your core and upper body muscles simultaneously. 
  5. While holding this position, lift your top leg upward several inches by engaging your hip abductor muscle. Hold this position for a few seconds.
  6. Focus on keeping your body straight and core engaged to reduce lower-back strain. 
  7. Breathe steadily throughout the exercise.
  8. Slowly lower down to the floor to finish.
  9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets on that side and then switch sides.

V-Up

The V-Up is a challenging ab workout that targets multiple muscles at once. It resembles a sit-up but involves bringing your entire body up from lying down flat into a V shape. It builds strength in your abdominals while eliciting support from the hips and quadriceps to pull yourself up with control.

V-Up Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Lie on your back with straight arms extended above your head.
  2. Inhale to engage your core.
  3. Exhale as you slowly bring yourself up into a V shape until your hands touch your feet.
  4. Hold at the top for a count and engage your torso. 
  5. Inhale and slowly return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Low Plank Leg Lift

The low plank leg lift is another plank variation that increases glute emphasis to lift your leg from a plank. It primarily targets the core, glutes, and shoulders to build full-body strength. It is a compound movement that provides an effective core and leg workout at the same time.

Low Plank Leg Lift Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin in a plank position on your forearms with legs extended behind you and elbows flexed to 90 degrees.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Exhale and lift your left leg several inches behind you. 
  4. Hold this position for several seconds and then bring it back down.
  5. Repeat for the desired reps on the left side and then switch sides. 
  6. Continue for the remaining sets on each side.

Burpee

Burpees are a popular high-intensity plyometric exercise that works your entire upper body, core, and glutes. They encompass several explosive movements targeting power and speed to transition from a plank to a push-up to a jump. 

Burpees’ benefits include improved aerobic capacity and performance in speed and power sports. They engage fast-twitch muscle fibers to drive through each phase of the movement.

Burpee Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin standing up straight with arms by your sides.
  2. Inhale and engage your core.
  3. Crouch down into a low squat placing your hands flat on the ground beneath your shoulders.
  4. Exhale and kick your legs straight back behind you to land in a high plank position.
  5. Hold here for a count, and engage your core and upper body.
  6. Inhale and bend your knees to come back into the low squat position.
  7. Finally, with power and control, jump up from the squat raising your hands into the air.
  8. Return to the starting position, standing up straight with arms by your sides.
  9. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

Inchworm

The inchworm is a challenging but effective exercise that targets all major muscle groups. It uses a dynamic movement to walk the hands forward on the floor from a bent-over position into a plank. It strengthens the core, upper arms, and glutes and may improve shoulder and scapula muscle activity when transitioning to the high plank position.

Inchworm Guide. Video: Aliaksandr Makatserchyk

How To Do

  1. Begin standing up straight with arms by your sides and feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Bend over by hinging at the hips and touch the floor with your hands.
  3. Slowly walk your hands out forward across the floor. Breathe steadily throughout the movement.
  4. Continue this movement until you reach a straight-arm high plank position.
  5. Hold for a count and then walk your feet to your hands and stand to return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired reps and sets.

How To Maximize Your Home Workout

  • Always include a proper warm-up before each session to prepare and loosen the muscles and increase the heart rate. Include a cooldown as well to bring the heart rate back down and stretch the muscles.
  • Make sure to use a full range of motion during the dynamic exercises to increase focus on mobility and flexibility. This maximizes results by applying tension to the muscles while at their full length.
  • Focus on connecting to the target muscles during each exercise to improve the mind-muscle connection. Think about squeezing the glutes during the lower-body movements and engaging the core during the plank variations.
  • Apply progressive overload by gradually increasing the intensity and duration as you build strength during each exercise. Beginners can transition to the intermediate routine and intermediate exercisers can progress to the advanced routine after several weeks.
  • Use controlled, steady movements, and avoid swinging or using momentum at any point during the exercises.
  • You can always modify any exercise to increase or decrease the challenge. Customize the programs based on your unique fitness goals and experience.
  • If you experience elbow joint or lower back pain during any exercise, stop immediately. Seek the help of a qualified healthcare professional. 

Conclusion

In addition to supporting full-body strength and a sculpted figure, these at-home workouts have multiple functional and health benefits. They improve cardiovascular health, joint flexibility and mobility, core strength, balance, and posture. Furthermore, they are convenient, time-efficient, and versatile to be modified according to your needs.

Follow our guidance when structuring your program to incorporate these exercises based on your current fitness level and goals. They will target all major muscle groups to optimize your routine for the best results! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 20-minute home workouts effective?

You can get an effective workout in 20 minutes at home when performing it regularly. Consistency is key to making progress — aim to perform your routine of choice 3–4 times a week to maximize gains.

Is it effective to workout at home?

At-home exercises like the ones in this article are very effective at building strength and muscle definition. Using progressive overload and squeezing the target muscles when contracting them increases muscle activation for the best results.

How often should I work out at home?

You should aim to perform your routine of choice 3–4 times a week to maximize results. Each routine is comprehensive and builds full-body strength. Try to identify and strengthen muscle weaknesses each week to enhance muscle symmetry.

Can I lose weight with at-home workouts?

Weight loss occurs through a combination of increased physical activity and reduced caloric intake resulting in a calorie deficit. These at-home workouts increase muscle strength and definition but will require dietary adjustments to lose fat while building muscle.

Resources

Endomondo.com refrains from utilizing tertiary references. We uphold stringent sourcing criteria and depend on peer-reviewed studies and academic research conducted by medical associations and institutions. For more detailed insights, you can explore further by reading our editorial process.

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About the Author

Erin grew up in New Orleans, LA and now lives and works as a freelance writer, nutrition consultant, and personal trainer in Fairhaven, MA. Erin's passion for nutrition and fitness amplified while studying at Tulane University researching the impacts of food deserts on residents of the greater New Orleans area... See more

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