8 Basic Exercises That Work The Entire Body

Are you looking for a workout routine that targets your entire body? Look no further! In this article, we will discuss 8 basic exercises that work the entire body. These exercises are perfect for beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts alike. So, let's get started!

Table of Contents

• Exercise 1: Squats
• Exercise 2: Lunges
• Exercise 3: Push-ups
• Exercise 4: Plank
• Exercise 5: Deadlifts
• Exercise 6: Burpees
• Exercise 7: Pull-ups
• Exercise 8: Mountain Climbers

Exercise 1: Squats

Squats are one of the best exercises for building lower body strength. They target the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. To perform a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body as if you were sitting back into a chair. Keep your chest up and your weight in your heels. Return to starting position and repeat.

How to:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Lower your body as if you were sitting back into a chair.
3. Keep your chest up and your weight in your heels.
4. Return to starting position and repeat.

Tips:

• Keep your knees in line with your toes.
• Do not let your knees go past your toes.
• Breathe in as you lower your body and breathe out as you return to starting position.

Pros:

• Targets multiple lower body muscles.
• Can be done with or without weights.
• Improves overall lower body strength.

Cons:

• Can be difficult for those with knee or hip problems.
• Requires proper form to avoid injury.

Exercise 2: Lunges

Lunges are another great exercise for building lower body strength. They target the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. To perform a lunge, step forward with one foot and lower your body until your back knee nearly touches the ground. Return to starting position and repeat with the other leg.

How to:

1. Step forward with one foot.
2. Lower your body until your back knee nearly touches the ground.
3. Return to starting position and repeat with the other leg.

Tips:

• Keep your front knee in line with your toes.
• Do not let your front knee go past your toes.
• Breathe in as you lower your body and breathe out as you return to starting position.

Pros:

• Targets multiple lower body muscles.
• Can be done with or without weights.
• Improves overall lower body strength.

Cons:

• Can be difficult for those with knee or hip problems.
• Requires proper form to avoid injury.

Exercise 3: Push-ups

Push-ups are a classic exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. To perform a push-up, start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground. Push back up to starting position and repeat.

How to:

1. Start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart.
2. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground.
3. Push back up to starting position and repeat.

Tips:

• Keep your elbows close to your body.
• Engage your core throughout the exercise.
• Breathe in as you lower your body and breathe out as you push back up.

Pros:

• Targets multiple upper body muscles.
• Can be modified for beginners or advanced fitness enthusiasts.
• Improves overall upper body strength.

Cons:

• Can be difficult for those with wrist or shoulder problems.
• Requires proper form to avoid injury.

Exercise 4: Plank

The plank is a great exercise for building core strength. It targets the abs, obliques, and lower back. To perform a plank, start in a push-up position but instead of lowering your body, hold your body in a straight line from head to heels.

How to:

1. Start in a push-up position.
2. Hold your body in a straight line from head to heels.

Tips:

• Engage your core throughout the exercise.
• Try to hold the position for at least 30 seconds.
• Breathe in and out slowly throughout the exercise.

Pros:

• Targets multiple core muscles.
• Can be modified for beginners or advanced fitness enthusiasts.
• Improves overall core strength and stability.

Cons:

• Can be difficult for those with low back problems.
• Can be boring for some people.

Exercise 5: Deadlifts

Deadlifts are a great exercise for building lower body and back strength. They target the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and lower back. To perform a deadlift, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a weight in front of you. Bend down and grab the weight with an overhand grip. Lift the weight up while keeping your back straight. Return to starting position and repeat.

How to:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a weight in front of you.
2. Bend down and grab the weight with an overhand grip.
3. Lift the weight up while keeping your back straight.
4. Return to starting position and repeat.

Tips:

• Engage your core throughout the exercise.
• Keep your back straight and your shoulders back.
• Breathe in as you lift the weight and breathe out as you return to starting position.

Pros:

• Targets multiple lower body and back muscles.
• Improves overall lower body and back strength.
• Can be done with or without weights.

Cons:

• Can be difficult for those with low back problems.
• Requires proper form to avoid injury.

Exercise 6: Burpees

Burpees are a full-body exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, triceps, abs, quads, hamstrings, and glutes. To perform a burpee, start in a standing position. Lower your body into a squat position and place your hands on the ground. Jump your feet back into a plank position. Do a push-up. Jump your feet back to your hands and stand up. Jump as high as you can and repeat.

How to:

1. Start in a standing position.
2. Lower your body into a squat position and place your hands on the ground.
3. Jump your feet back into a plank position.
4. Do a push-up.
5. Jump your feet back to your hands and stand up.
6. Jump as high as you can and repeat.