Working out at home has become more popular than ever, and for good reason! It’s convenient, time-saving, and can save you a ton of money on gym memberships and pricey equipment. Bodyweight exercises are an ideal starting point for home workouts, helping you to build strength and endurance without spending a fortune. 

Read on to discover how just a few pieces of portable and affordable equipment can help you achieve your fitness goals from the comfort of your own home – or anywhere!

 

Why choose bodyweight exercises?

Bodyweight exercises are versatile, easy to modify, and can be done anywhere. They’re a great option for those short on time or space, and are a fantastic way to build a solid workout routine without the need for expensive equipment. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned fitness fanatic, here's why bodyweight training might be the perfect fit for your workout routine:

 

Cost-effective

The best thing about bodyweight exercises is that they’re completely free. You don’t need elaborate equipment or pricey gym memberships, you just need your own body and some space. Plus, if you’re looking to upgrade your workout, you can incorporate low-cost equipment like resistance bands to take you to the next level without emptying your wallet. 

 

Versatile and accessible

You can do a bodyweight workout anywhere – whether you’re at home, outdoors, in a hotel room, or taking a break in the office. With this level of flexibility, you never have to miss a workout, even when you’re on the go. Maintain your routine with exercises that target every muscle group and can be modified to fit the space you’re in.

 

Time-efficient

When time is tight, bodyweight exercises allow you to fit in a quick, effective workout. With no need to commute to a gym, you can fit workouts into your schedule whenever it works for you. By combining strength and cardio, bodyweight exercises help you build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness at the same time – saving you time while delivering a well-rounded workout routine.

 

Functional strength and core stability

Bodyweight exercises rely only on the weight of your own body, so they can help build functional strength that translates to everyday activities. Movements like squats, lunges, and push-ups engage multiple muscle groups and mimic everyday movements, making your body stronger and more capable. Many bodyweight exercises also require core stabilisation which improves your balance and posture.  Over time, you’ll notice your core muscles becoming stronger, which can help prevent injury. 

 

Scalable for all levels

You can adapt bodyweight exercises to make them suitable for your current fitness level. While you might start out doing modified push ups on your knees, you can ramp up through different levels until you’re doing decline push-ups, or adding resistance bands. With the right adjustments, you can easily make bodyweight exercises challenging enough to match your fitness goals.

 

The best bodyweight exercises for you 

Let’s cover some effective bodyweight exercises that target major muscle groups:

 

Push-Ups

Push-ups are a classic exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. They can be modified in numerous ways to suit all fitness levels.

Start out with incline push-ups against a wall and then progress to a traditional push-up. Once you’re ready for a challenge you can add in a step from our Aerobic package 

 

Squats

Squats are essential for building lower body strength, targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. The squat is a versatile move that can be made more challenging with resistance bands or an added barbell from our Aerobic package. 

Planks

Planks are fantastic for core stability, working the abs, shoulders, back, and glutes. For an added challenge, use a resistance band looped around each wrist and pull against the band while holding your plank to perform a resistance band plank row. 

Lunges

Lunges target the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves while improving balance. Incorporate the step from our aerobic package to modify it to an elevated lunge when you’re ready for a progression. 

Burpees

Burpees are infamously good for a full-body workout, engaging your legs, chest, core, and shoulders while spiking your heart rate for a great cardio session. Try doing burpees on the step platform to make them even more challenging.

Glute Bridges and hip thrusts

Glute bridges and hip thrusts target your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. Add a resistance band to your glute bridge and press against the band as you lift to increase the tension in your glutes and thighs. Use a step to transform your hip thrust into a raised single-leg hip thrust for more glute activation. 

Taking your bodyweight workout to the next level with GymQuip

If you’re looking to incorporate a few key pieces of gear to take your bodyweight workout to the next level, GymQuip has you covered. With a few affordable, lightweight pieces of equipment, you can create a flexible, adaptable bodyweight workout that’s still challenging. Here’s a breakdown of the best products to enhance your workout:

 

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are a versatile, portable and lightweight way to provide added resistance to your bodyweight exercises. Whether for lunges, squats, or rows, resistance bands make your moves more challenging and effective.

 

Aerobic Package

If you’re looking to add a little intensity to your bodyweight workout, or step up into weighted versions of the exercises the Aerobic package is for you. This package includes:

  • Aerobic step with risers: So you can add an incline to your push-ups, and have a stable surface for your tricep dips or calf raises 
  • Aerobic weight set: With pairs of weights ranging from 1.25-10 kg, a padded bar and lockjaws, the aerobic set allows you to add weight incrementally to your bodyweight exercises. This is the perfect next step to help you progress moves like hip thrusts and squats. 

Get started with your bodyweight workouts today with GymQuip 

By choosing bodyweight exercises, you can enjoy a holistic, budget-friendly approach to fitness. Whether you’re looking to start a routine or build on your current workouts, adding affordable equipment, like the Aerobic package or resistance bands, can make a big difference in achieving your fitness goals.

If you’re ready to level-up your bodyweight workout, browse GymQuip’s collection of resistance bands and packages today. Not sure what to get? No problem! Contact our team today for expert advice on the right equipment to suit your fitness needs.