The Perfect Full-Body Beginner Workout From a Fitness Coach

Do you want to embark on your fitness journey but don’t know where to start? Jordan Morgan (@jordan_morgan_) is a fitness coach and social media influencer who shares content on how to get into shape. In a recent viral video, she gifts her followers with a great, full-body workout perfect for beginners. “If I was a beginner starting in the gym, this is the full body workout I would not be skipping,” she says at the start of the clip. Before you hit the gym, The Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, offers some extra advice. “Always warm up before any weight session so you aren’t lifting heavy weight with cold muscles,” she says. “Do just 5 minutes on the elliptical to get the legs and arms working.” Here is the workout:

Dumbbell Goblet Squat

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“The first movement that we're starting with is a dumbbell goblet squat,” Jordan says. “I love this one because if you haven't progressed to a full back squat yet using the barbell, this is a great way to build the foundations of a squat. Learn the technique, build your mobility, and then you can move to a regular barbell squat. Later on, I want you to perform 10 reps of your squat.” Collingwood agrees that this is an excellent simple “but not easy” squat that is great for beginners, “but can be quite challenging even if you are advanced depending on how much weight you use.”

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Seated Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press

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The next exercise is a seated single arm dumbbell shoulder press. “Again, I love this one because a barbell shoulder press can be quite an awkward movement, especially if you're a beginner. So all you need to do is take a seat on a box, dumbbell comes up into one shoulder, keep it in a nice neutral position. We don't want it facing out or in. We kind of want it in between the two. And then from there, you're going to drive all the way up, head through the shoulder at the top, control back down,” she says, recommending 10 reps per side. “You're going to do both of these movements back to back for three sets.” Collingwood agrees that this is a great exercise. “You can advance to doing both arms at the same time to save time!” she adds.

Kettlebell Deadlift

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The first exercise of the next set is a kettlebell deadlift. “Now, if you want to use your dumbbell for this one, you can otherwise go ahead and grab the kettlebell. It places you in a really nice position so you can stay nice and neutral with your deadlift,” Jordan explains. “It's really important that you're maintaining a nice neutral spine. This is actually quite a tough movement if you're a beginner. So using something like a kettlebell is a great starting point.” She suggests doing 10 reps. “Deadlift is an excellent exercise that works the leg but also the core and lower back,” says Collingwood. “Definitely do with a dumbbell if you’re purchasing equipment at home and don’t want to have to get a kettlebell. All you need is a weight to hold when you go down. Make sure you watch videos or have a trainer help you with form if you are just starting out.”

Single Arm Bent Over Row

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“Then you're going to go straight into a single arm bent over row,” says Jordan. “If you want to, you can use a box or a bench or something for support. I want you to think about pulling the dumbbell in towards your hip, squeeze at the top, control down. If you feel comfortable in this position, you can take away the box or the bench and you can just go freestanding. And I want you to go for 10 each side of this one.” Collingwood is a fan of the exercise, “to work the back and also engage the shoulders and triceps,” she says. “The slower you go the harder it is!”

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Plank Pull Through

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The last exercise is a core movement, the plank pull through. “Absolutely love this movement. You can either do it in a full plank. I want you to think about keeping your hips really nice and still, so we don't want to be swaying side to side, so you're really keeping your core nice and engaged. If that feels tough, you can actually drop down to your knees. You'll keep that nice strong core position, and I want you to go for 10 to 20 reps, depending on how it feels for you to finish off. You'll do three sets of that, and that's it,” she says. “That's your beginner workout. Super easy, whether you're at the gym, at home, give it a go.” Collingwood also likes to finish workouts with core exercise. “It is difficult but also a good way to start to wind down at the same time,” she explains. “Isometric (holding) exercise is excellent for muscle endurance, or teaching more muscles to work longer. Planks engage everything. I love them!”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are just getting started on your fitness journey, choose a few easy to learn exercises and master them before you progress to more complicated ones.

As a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine since 2005, I can tell you that doing full-body workouts gives you more bang for your buck. You can incorporate both lower and upper body movements in the same compound exercise, saving time instead of working them separately. These exercises also offer improved balance, better stability, enhanced coordination, and greater core strength. So, there's a whole host of benefits to doing full-body workouts rather than focusing on one muscle group at a time, especially since saving time is crucial nowadays. Here's how to do it.

Preparatory Steps to Take Before Starting a Workout Routine

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If you are new to strength training, first, you should get a doctor's clearance, especially if you have any underlying issues. For example, if you have a heart issue or a bone or joint issue, it's very important to get clearance from your doctor.

If you can't afford to do a ton of personal training sessions, try to buy a few sessions so you can be led in the general, correct direction with form, how to set up their exercise program, and make sure you're doing things correctly. The number one reason why people stop is that they're usually not doing things correctly. They get frustrated, they don't want to continue because they're not seeing results, or they get hurt. So, finding a properly certified trainer is important because a lot of trainers become certified overnight. Many coaches hold certifications such as ACSM, AFAA, NASM, and ACE. These are key qualifications to look for in a trainer's credentials.

First Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: Squat With Bicep Curl, Transitioning Into Press

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The first full-body exercise I would recommend is a squat combined with a bicep curl and then transitioning into a military or shoulder press. So, you would stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel. You're holding two weights at your sides. They could be any size between five to 15 pounds, depending on your level. So, when you sit into the squat, you want to press your weight back into your heels. Your butt is all the way back and down. You want to bring your butt so it's almost down in line with your knees, but not quite parallel to your knees because then you could hurt your knees. You come up, press the hips forward, curl the arms, so you bring your thumbs to your shoulder height with the weights in them. The elbows stay back against your rib cage. And when you're standing tall, you're pressing those weights overhead into the military press. In the military press, you want to make sure you're not locking your elbows. You keep your head straight, and your elbows are close to your ears.

Second Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: A Push-Up With a Glute Raise at the Top

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The second is a push-up with a glute raise at the top. You would start in a plank position with your wrists directly underneath your elbows and your elbows underneath your shoulders, ensuring your knees are directly underneath your hips. If possible, raise your knees off the floor; otherwise, you can keep your knees down. Perform your push-up by bending your elbows at a 90-degree angle to your sides. As you come all the way up, straightening your elbows at the top, you then proceed to the top of the plank movement, lifting your right leg up while squeezing your glutes. Follow by lifting your left leg up and squeezing your glutes, effectively working your chest, core, and glutes.

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Third Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: The Quadruped Exercise

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The Quadruped exercise targets multiple muscle groups, including the core and back for stability. It particularly engages the lower back and lats.

Starting in a kneeling position with your hands on the floor, essentially on all fours, you extend your right leg straight back while simultaneously reaching your left arm forward. Ensure your elbow is aligned with your ear and your leg is straight and extended behind you. After holding this position briefly, lower your arm and leg, then switch to the other side, always moving the opposite arm and opposite leg together. Additionally, by engaging your core and squeezing your glutes as you perform the movement, you can also incorporate some glute work into the exercise.

Fourth Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: Sumo Squat

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Another effective compound movement is the sumo squat combined with a shoulder shrug at the top. Begin by holding a heavy weight in each hand, positioning your feet wider than shoulder-width apart with your toes slightly turned outwards. Hold the weights in front of you. As you perform the squat, bend your knees and lower your body, aiming to bring your seat down towards your knees but keeping it just above knee level. As you ascend to the upright position, squeeze your glutes to engage not only the glutes but also the inner thighs. At the top of the movement, add a shoulder shrug to target your trapezius muscles by elevating your shoulders towards your ears, ensuring your knuckles face forward and slowly lowering them back down. A common mistake to avoid is dropping the shoulders too quickly after the shrug.

Fifth Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: Deadlift Into Tricep Kickback

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The exercise combines a straight-legged deadlift with a tricep kickback, targeting the triceps, hamstrings, and to some extent, the glutes. Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart and parallel. Keep your elbows close to your sides, and your arms bent at a 90-degree angle. As you initiate the deadlift, hinge forward from your hips, projecting your chest and buttocks outward. Aim to bring your shoulders down in line with your hips, maintaining a slight bend in your knees to feel a stretch in your hamstrings at the bottom of the movement. Once you reach the hinge position with your body forming a 90-degree angle, proceed with the tricep kickback by extending your arms straight behind you, then return to the 90-degree angle before coming back up to the starting position. This exercise effectively works both the upper and lower body, offering a comprehensive strength workout.

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Sixth Full-Body Exercise I'd Recommend: Alternating Lunges With Lateral Raises

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Lastly, we'll incorporate alternating lunges with lateral raises, an exercise that targets the quadriceps, glutes, a bit of the hamstrings, and the sides of the shoulders. Start by holding a light to medium-sized weight in each hand at your sides, with your palms facing your hips. Stand tall with your shoulders pulled back and down, and your core activated—as if bracing for a punch to the stomach. This core engagement is crucial throughout all the exercises I've described.

For the lunges, step one leg back at a time, ensuring the leg is far enough back so that your knee is directly underneath your hip. Keep the back heel lifted at the bottom of the lunge. Lower your leg to form a 90-degree angle at the knee. As you do this, perform a lateral raise by lifting your arms to shoulder height, weights in hand, then lower them before pushing back up to the starting position. Alternate legs with each repetition to ensure balanced muscle development and engagement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Doing Full-Body Exercises

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A common mistake in total body workouts is attempting to target more than two or three muscle groups at once, which can lead to confusion and poor form. It's also frequent to see individuals rushing through movements. It's crucial to maintain proper posture and alignment during these exercises without hurrying. If you find yourself in a group fitness class and need to move slower than the pace set by the music or the instructor, take your time. Another important point is the tendency to mimic others in the class. You should focus on your own reflection in the mirror and the instructor's guidance, rather than copying others, as their technique might not be correct. Additionally, many fail to use their core effectively. In exercises like planks or pushups, I often observe backs arching or sinking, whereas they should remain flat with the core engaged throughout.

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Final Word From the Trainer

Michelle Rose

Some tips and advice for working out include finding the format that best suits you, a topic I specialize in and extensively cover on my website. It's important to recognize that what works for one person may not work for another. For example, some people may love barre workouts, while others might not enjoy them at all. I always recommend trying a new workout at least three times. The first time might not be enjoyable as everything is new. By the second attempt, you may start getting more accustomed to it, and often, by the third time, it might just click for you. If you still don't like it after three or four sessions, it's okay to move on and try something else, like Pilates or strength training.

💪🔥Body Booster: Remember, some people may not enjoy high-intensity interval training (HIIT), while others thrive on it. The key is to find something that resonates with you because that's when you'll be more inclined to stick with it and enjoy your workouts. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Cara D’Orazio is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor with 19 years of experience and the Owner of C.G.M. Fitness.

Esther da Costa is showing off her flat abs – and revealing details about the workout responsible for them. In a new social media post the fitness influencer and founder of Esther Marie Yoga flaunts her amazing body while unveiling her “beginner friendly total tone” workout. “This routine targets and tones the entire body especially the shoulders , glutes and core!” she write. “And it’s LESS than 20 minutes.” What exercises does she do and what other health habits are responsible for her fantastic figure? Here is everything you need to know.

The Workout Is Low Impact and Involves “Small But Powerful Movements”

“Low impact small but powerful movements are suitable and effective in my opinion for all levels / abilities,” Esther explains in the post, adding that “movements like this that are gentle, strengthening and toning are GREAT for restarting your fitness journey after time out.” She adds that the workout is great “If you’re kick starting your fitness journey , getting over a cold or restarting your fitness.”

Beginner Friendly Rotal Tone Workout

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Here is the workout:

• Wide yogi squat: Push “weight into heels and use your core,” she says.
• Side lying elevated feet clam shell: “Tone the inner and outer hip and improve mobility drill,” she explains.
• Single leg bridge lift, with twist tuck: The“core glutes and pelvis stability targeted with this one exercise,” she says.
• Kneeling shoulder push ups: “Honestly these transformed my shoulder strength stability and upper back muscles,” she explains.
• Lying toe dips: “Showing two different versions here one with more support taken hand back on to move onto too much,” she says. “You feel stable strong with the hand out to the side.” Then, adding on, “this time [do the exercise] with both hands supporting the head.”

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Tips for the Workout

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She also offers the following tips for the workout:

• Do each one of these exercises for 30 seconds
• Take a rest whenever needed
• Move slowly and with control
• Breathe with the movement ,make the exhale heard
• Move with love for your body.

Eating Disorder Issues

Esther battled an eating disorder, which is how she started her fitness journey. “I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa just before I turned 18 after an attempted suicide. Was I worried about my weight? No!!! I was feeling so low, incredibly lost and wanted to give up on life,” she said in a post, explaining that “eating disorders are not about food, wanting to look a certain way, wanting to be a certain size, to have a six pack, to be thin.”

Yoga Helps Her Relieve Stress

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On her website Ester explains that she discovered yoga in 2016 “during a time in my life of work related stress and intense anxiety,” she says. “I had been practicing mindfulness before 2016 and knew it helped me, but yoga I always thought wasn’t for me. At the time I liked HIIT exercise and was an avid gym bunny, but after tearing my knee and achilles heel in 6 months I took advice from physic and started yoga from home. I started practicing from home and have always predominately had a home yoga practice rather than class attended. Self practice eases my monkey mind, silences my inner critic and settles and soothes me from within,” she adds. Is has also strengthened her body.

Related: I Lost 100 Pounds at Home Before Even Getting Into a Gym. Here’s How to Start.

She Meditates

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Esther also meditates. “I’m not trying to create a whole new style of meditation. I’m trying to make meditation more accessible to as many people as I can,” she explains in a post. “In my experience with meditation, I found the posture away from the wall, straight back, always seated really hard due to my chronic pain.” She recommends the following posture options.

• Seated with your back against the wall with support
• Seated on a block to elevate the hips
• Seated back against the wall to support your back and a cushion under under the legs
• Reclined resting legs up the wall

💪🔥Body Booster: Low impact workouts can be just as effective at burning fat and building muscle as higher intensity workouts.

Do you want to do a full body workout with just six exercises? Grace Albin is a fitness expert and influencer who shares diet and exercise tips and tricks with her hundreds of thousands of followers. In a new post, she reveals some combo moves that work multiple muscles at once.”Six fun, #bodyweight combos for fat-burning and muscle-toning,” she captioned the post. Here are the exercises – as well as a few other of her go-to fitness and diet tips.

Here Is the Workout

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“Do each combo 10-20 times, then move to the next combo. Rest one minute at the end of the round. 2-4 rounds total,” Grace instructs.

• jump squat into triple-pulse squat.
• twist squat with knee lift.
• triple-pulse lunge into kick.
• cross cross squat.
• reverse lunge into plank.
• floor tap lunge into knee lift.

Do Pilates and Strength Training

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Grace encourages “a fusion of Pilates technique with traditional fitness,” she told Naluda. “So we use dumbbells and resistance bands and do squats and curls. But always with the underlying philosophy of posture strength, elegant movement, and muscle lengthening.”

Why is Pilates a good workout? According to the Mayo Clinic there are lots of benefits to the workout, as it “strengthens the body's inner core while increasing its flexibility resulting in improved overall health.”

It can also promote longer, leaner muscles, injury prevention, relief from stress and back pain, enhanced athletic performance, and heightened mind-body awareness. And, the Mayo Clinic explains that strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage your weight
• Enhance your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Sharpen your thinking skills

Stick to Workouts You Love

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What is the absolute best workout, according to Grace? One you will actually do. She recommends trying “a lot of different formats and you’ll find the one you love enough to stay motivated and keep going,” she told Naluda. “It might be something social and structured (and free) — like a running community training for a 10k that has each weekly jog planned out to the exact mile and meets at the same time every week. Or something flexible like joining a fancy studio that offers different modalities and allows you to toggle between yoga and boot camp. Keep experimenting and you’ll hit upon the fitness routine that matches your vibe and gets you coming back.”

RELATED:5 Exercises for Wrinkle Reduction

Snack on Protein and Fiber

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Grace snacks but keeps it healthy. “There are several bags of frozen edamame in my freezer at all times. It’s incredibly high in both protein and fiber. It’s quick and easy to fry or bake with a splash of olive oil, salt and pepper. You can also change the taste of it with any type of marinade or seasoning mix, so it never gets old,” she told Naluda.

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Get Your Steps In

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Grace also recommends getting your steps in. How many should you aim for if you want to lose weight? According to a 2018 study published in the journal Obesity, walking 10,000 steps a day was linked to weight loss and weight management.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you don’t have a lot of time to work out, try doing combo moves to work multiple muscle groups at once.