Beginning your fitness journey can be an exciting but daunting time, with countless exercise routines to pick from. Whether you’re hoping to build strength, improve cardiovascular health, or help with flexibility and movement, there’s something for everyone.
In this guide, we will present you with 20 different types of exercises that can help you get closer to your fitness goals. From the basic steps of walking and swimming to more advanced programs including HIIT and CrossFit, these are exercises that can be done by anyone, regardless of their level of fitness. All of them have their fantastic benefits, whether you want to burn off some fat, improve muscular endurance or just overall physical health. So, let’s leap into the world of activity!
Table of Contents
1. Walking and Hiking
Walking is one of the easiest and most effective cardiovascular exercises you can try. It’s ideal for people at every fitness level, and can help boost overall endurance and cardiovascular strength. Whether it is a walk in the park or a hike up a hill, walking is a great way for you to kick-start that fitness journey.
Alternatively, hiking has an extra layer of difficulty to it. It’s more challenging and recruits different muscles, particularly in your legs. It’s also great for core strength workouts as well as joint mobility and flexibility. With hiking, you can push yourself further as you progress in your fitness routine.
2. Jogging and Running
Running and jogging are traditional cardio exercises that allow you to burn calories while also building your muscular endurance. Running, in particular, strengthens and tones your legs and core, so it’s one of the most effective full-body workouts. If you’re a newbie, start off with a gentle jog and slowly increase the distance.
It strengthens your heart and lungs as well. Not only will you be able to see the results on your body, but you’ll also experience a mental boost because such activities enhance endorphin release.
3. Cycling
Cycling is another good way to enhance your cardiovascular fitness and tone your muscles. It’s easy on your joints but remains a good workout, especially when you pick up your pace. Whether you are cycling outdoor along beautiful routes or indoor cycling classes, both serve as core-strengthening exercises.
4. Swimming
If you want something that’s easy on the joints and provides a full-body workout, then swimming is ideal. It activates every muscle in the body and increases strength, tone, and flexibility. The resistance of the water provides a great way to build core strengthening and cardio endurance.
It’s not just a healthy activity, it’s also a great way to relax and alleviate stress. It’s a workout that nearly anyone, at any level of fitness, can enjoy. Because swimming also enhances joint range of motion and flexibility, it is great for people recovering from injuries or in search of low-impact alternatives.
5. Rowing
Rowing offers a full-body workout which focuses on upper body, core strength and lower body. It’s a great option for anyone looking to build strength and endurance at the same time. Rowing involves muscles all over your body and also improves your body posture and muscle coordination.
Practice regularly, and rowing can help to tone muscles and develop muscular endurance, as well as enhance cardiovascular fitness. It’s great for everyone from beginners to experts, yielding high-intensity intervals in a low-impact way.
6. Strength Training
Strength training, also known as weightlifting, is great for building muscle, enhancing body tone and increasing your muscular endurance. It can be overwhelming initially, but start with basic movements with free weights or machines. You can slowly add more weight as you get stronger.
It also helps enhance core strength and bone health. Whether you’re aiming to tone your arms, legs, or crucial stabilising muscles in your core, building up muscle mass and overall strength is an essential part of any fitness routine.
7. Bodyweight Exercises
Bodyweight workouts are ideal for people who don’t want to use equipment. These workouts rely on your bodyweight for strength training and muscle endurance. Some of the most well-known bodyweight exercises are push-ups, squats, and planks.
They work multiple muscles together and also strengthen core fitness, flexibility and balance. These are perfect for the beginner because you can do them at home or anywhere, for free, and with no equipment to purchase, you can incorporate them into your exercise plan whenever you want.
8. Yoga
Yoga is not only about stretching; it’s a holistic exercise that increases flexibility, builds strength, and helps improve your mental health. It’s all about breath and controlled movements in order to increase muscle endurance and joint mobility.
There are various types of yoga, such as vinyasa, hatha and power yoga. Start with 1 or 2 basic poses to improve your physical well-being and assist you in reaching your fitness goals. In the long run, yoga also trains you in mindfulness and stress reduction so that you develop a healthier way of living.
9. Pilates
Pilates is like yoga with an increased focus on the core muscles, balance and posture. It makes an excellent aid for anyone wishing to stretch their muscles and improve their workouts to increase flexibility.
Pilates, like yoga, involves controlled movements that place great emphasis on muscle strength. The exercises often involve mat work or specialised equipment such as the reformer. This workout is also beginner-friendly.
10. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT is a type of workout that cycles between extreme bursts of activity and short rest periods. It is one of the best cardio workouts for burning fat, increasing work capacity and strengthening your muscles. HIIT can be adjusted for all fitness levels — from beginners to advanced.
This high-output fitness session is perfect for those who want maximum results in a short time period. HIIT increases muscle strength, raises the metabolism, and increases fitness levels quickly. You can progressively add intensity as you progress.
11. Tabata
Tabata is a form of HIIT centred on a structured 20-second exercise to 10-second rest ratio. It is an extremely intense exercise that improves cardiovascular health, helps build, tone and shape our muscles, and burns fat. Despite being brief in length, Tabata is incredibly effective for sculpting and defining muscles and advancing your fitness.
If you want to work out harder, Tabata is ideal. It’s perfect for those looking to push themselves and take their workouts to the next level.
12. Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is not just for kids. It’s an awesome cardio move that tightens your calves, tones your arms, and engages your entire body’s muscles. A short session of rope jumping can enhance your muscular endurance and coordination.
Begin slowly, and as you gain stamina, perform more jumps. It is such an awesome way to burn calories, stay fitter, and inject some fun into your workout.
13. Dancing
Dance is one of the most pleasurable forms of exercising. Whether you’re a fan of Zumba, hip-hop or ballroom dancing, it’s a fun way to kick up cardiovascular workouts and build muscle. Dancing is all about coordination and a fabulous full-body workout, which tones muscles and improves mood.
Beginners could try a dance class or watch a dance tutorial online as a fun way to move. Once you get comfortable, you can challenge yourself by doing the moves faster and at a higher intensity.
14. Boxing and Kickboxing
Boxing and kickboxing are excellent exercises that blend strength training and cardiovascular exercise. These activities engage your whole body and enhance its strength, flexibility, coordination, and speed as well.
Besides improving physical health, it is a great way of releasing stress. If you’re new, you can try some simple punches or take a class to learn how to combine striking with bodyweight exercises as a full workout.
15. Climbing
Whether you’re outdoors or on a rock wall, climbing is a full-body exercise that will target your upper body, core and legs. It’s a fun way to build strength with the bonus of coordination and balance.
Climbing is an incredible physical and mental transformation activity. It’s also an amazing opportunity to test your limits and take your fitness to the next level.
16. Tai Chi
It is a slow and gentle form of martial arts that improves body balance, flexibility and muscle strength. It’s great for anyone who is looking to increase their muscular coordination and relieve some stress. It can help you stay healthy in a relaxing way. An ideal low-impact workout for beginners.
17. Barre
Barre classes involve a combination of strength training, flexibility exercises and muscle endurance. It uses ballet, pilates and yoga moves to help tone your body, balance and flexibility.
For better posture and stronger muscles, give barre workouts a try. You can learn in a class or by following an online tutorial.
18. CrossFit
CrossFit is an intense workout program that mixes elements of traditional strength training, cardio and Olympic weightlifting. It’s great for individuals who want to take their fitness routine to the next level and build both strength and endurance.
CrossFit is great if you want to try a fast-paced activity and something that will challenge you. It’s also perfect for anyone looking to increase their cardio, gain strength, and improve overall fitness.
19. Circuit Training
Circuit training is the act of performing a selection of exercises one after another, hitting different muscle groups. It’s a great way to incorporate strength training and a cardio workout together, making it an ideal full-body workout. Circuit training is customisable for all levels of fitness, from a first timer to professional athletes.
20. Push-Ups
Pushups are a fundamental body-weight exercise that is ideal for the upper body part including chest and arm muscles. Suitable for beginners. Begin with standard push-ups, such as knee push-ups. Gradually increase the exercise intensity. With time, you’ll be able to move to regular and even other push-ups, such as diamond push-ups for real challenges.
Conclusion: How Wellbeing Tribez Can Help
Beginning a fitness journey may feel daunting, but with some support and the right tools, it is possible to stay on course. From cardiovascular exercises such as walking and jogging to strength-building exercises like strength training and bodyweight exercises, above-listed 20 different types of exercises can be useful to anyone. Whether you want to work on toning your muscles, developing flexibility, or even bettering your health, these exercises are the ideal starting point for any fitness journey.
At Wellbeing Tribez, we are dedicated to supporting you through your fitness transformation. Our platform offers a physical wellness directory that connects you with Black-owned and culturally relevant wellness providers, including:
- Access to specialised health and wellness services
- A wide range of fitness professionals for all fitness levels
- Expert guidance on exercise progression and workout safety
For personalised health and fitness advice, Richie Fitness PT has got you covered. Focusing on muscle strength, cardiovascular activity and core training, Richie Fitness provides the personal coaching that is right for you. Begin your fitness journey with Wellbeing Tribez and Richie Fitness now! Get in touch for tailored support to take your journey to wellness to higher levels.
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