7 of the Best Body Weight Exercises

Squat

One of the best exercises is also one of the most natural (just watch a baby sit). This movement works all of the muscles in the lower body including the quads, glutes and hamstrings. It also provides an extra kick for the core as you need your deep abdominal muscles and back to perform this exercise correctly.

Pushup

This is one of the best upper body exercises because it works everything from your chest to your back, your arms and even your abs. Make sure your shoulders line up with your wrists and you tuck your elbows towards your sides (and don’t flare out your elbows wide). Try to get your chest and hips as close to the floor as possible without touching.

Bridge

The bridge (also called a hip raise or extension) will strengthen your glutes and hamstrings, while also working your abdominals, back and inner thighs. For a fun variation, lift your hips with your feet flat on the floor and slowly extend one leg long into the sky.

Lunge

Start with feet together and arms resting comfortably by your sides. Step forward with your right foot and lower your body until your front knee is at 90 degrees and your knee is not touching the floor. Then, to complete the exercise, push off of your front right foot while straightening your left leg. Keep your right foot off of the floor and balance with your right thigh parallel to the floor.

Plank

The plank has become one of the key go to exercises to define your core. If you are struggling to maintain the arms straight position try this exercise on your forearms. Be sure to align your elbows and shoulders and keep your hips, heels and shoulders at the same height.

Single Leg Deadlift

This is one of the best hamstring, glute and core exercises, and it works the muscles on the backside of your body that are typically ignored. Stand on one leg with your knee slightly bent, and without changing the bend in your knee, bend at your hips and lower your torso until it’s parallel to the floor. Pause, then return to the start. Do all reps, and then switch legs and repeat.

Burpees

The great thing about burpees are that they combine cardio and strength into one exercise. A burpee is a complex total body exercise that will work your upper and lower body at the same time with a strong focus on the core. For an added cardio punch, add a full standing jump into the mix before the squat.

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