Best Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do at Home

Want to get fit without a gym? Bodyweight exercises build strength, endurance, and mobility—all from home. Whether you're a beginner or advancing your routine, these moves help you reach your goals without equipment.

Benefits of Bodyweight Workouts

  • No Equipment Needed – You don’t need expensive gym gear; your body is the only tool required.

  • Builds Strength and Endurance – These workouts engage multiple muscle groups and enhance stamina.

  • Improves Flexibility and Mobility – Many exercises promote better movement and posture.

  • Convenient and Versatile – You can do them anywhere, anytime.

Best Bodyweight Exercises for a Full-Body Workout

1. Squats

Targets: Legs, glutes, and core

Squats help strengthen your lower body, improve balance, and enhance mobility. They also support joint health and build functional strength for everyday movements.

How to do it:

  • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.

  • Lower your hips as if sitting back into a chair.

  • Keep your chest up and knees behind your toes.

  • Push through your heels to return to standing.

2. Push-Ups

Targets: Chest, shoulders, and triceps

Push-ups build upper body strength and engage the core, helping to improve posture and overall endurance.

How to do it:

  • Start in a high plank position with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width.

  • Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor.

  • Push back up while keeping your core engaged.

3. Lunges

Targets: Legs, glutes, and core

Lunges improve leg strength, stability, and coordination while helping to correct muscle imbalances between legs.

How to do it:

  • Step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees form 90-degree angles.

  • Keep your front knee aligned with your ankle.

  • Push back up and repeat on the other side.

4. Plank

Targets: Core and shoulders

Planks strengthen the core, improve posture, and enhance overall stability, reducing the risk of back pain.

How to do it:

  • Get into a forearm or high plank position.

  • Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.

  • Hold for 30 seconds or more while engaging your core.

5. Glute Bridges

Targets: Glutes, lower back, and core

Glute bridges activate and strengthen the glutes, help reduce lower back pain, and improve hip mobility.

How to do it:

  • Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

  • Lift your hips while squeezing your glutes at the top.

  • Lower slowly and repeat.

6. Mountain Climbers

Targets: Core, shoulders, and legs

Mountain climbers provide a great cardiovascular workout while strengthening the core and improving agility.

How to do it:

  • Start in a high plank position.

  • Drive your knees toward your chest alternately at a steady or fast pace.

7. Burpees (Advanced)

Targets: Full body (cardio and strength)

Burpees are a full-body exercise that improves cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and overall strength.

How to do it:

  • Start standing, then squat down and place your hands on the floor.

  • Jump your feet back into a push-up position.

  • Perform a push-up, then jump back to a squat and explode upward.

Beginner-Friendly Bodyweight Workout Routine

Perform each exercise for 30–45 seconds with 15 seconds of rest in between. Repeat for 3 rounds.

  1. Squats

  2. Push-Ups

  3. Lunges (each leg)

  4. Plank

  5. Glute Bridges

  6. Mountain Climbers

  7. Rest (30–60 seconds), then repeat

Conclusion

Bodyweight exercises are a fantastic way to stay fit at home. They require no equipment, improve overall strength, and can be easily modified to match your fitness level. Start incorporating these workouts into your routine and watch your fitness improve over time!