My Top 3 Favorite Total Body Exercises

My Top 3 Favorite Total Body Exercises

I get asked quite often what my favorite type of exercises are, and if you know me, you know I am all about efficiency and getting the most amount in in the least amount of time. Get in, get done, get out! So my answer is always any exercise that targets the entire body head-to-toe! And bonus points if they have a cardio component that gets my heart pumpin’! Total body exercises are not only great for those who are short on time and are craving an effective workout, but they also improve our mind-body connection and requires us to focus on proper form and muscle control. With all the different exercises out there that fit this criteria, there are three that are at the top of my list!

1.) Planks for life! If you are looking for a total body exercise that will have you breaking out in a sweat without moving a muscle, then a plank is your homie! From head to toe, planks help build strength and endurance by just simply holding the position. If you want to get really fancy, throw in a light resistance band or a glider and some front to back or side to side movement to really have you questioning your life choices! ;)

2.) Push-Ups…necessary evil? Short answer? Yes. Though typically thought of to only work the arms, just like planks, push-ups provide a total body burn but next level. By constantly pushing away from gravity, the core and upper body are working overtime, along with the cardiovascular system. And by simply slightly changing the position of your hands and arms can completely change the feel and focus. But don’t let these little devils scare you! The multiple options for modifications are endless, making this total body exercise accessible for everyone!

3.) Burpees, and no you won’t die! Now while I wouldn’t necessarily whack these out at the beginning of a workout, burpees are a great finisher and will have you huffing and puffing for more! Talk about a total body exercise working every muscle from head to toe - we can check off cardio, upper body and lower body with this dynamic movement! And the numerous modifications are still super effective. Specifically, Ballet Burpees might just be my all time favorite because it just sounds so fancy!

Like I mentioned earlier, I am all about a workout that hits every body part, along with a bonus dose of cardio! And you don’t need to workout for an hour+ to achieve that goal! If you are short on time but still want an effective workout, try these three total body exercises for a sweaty quickie!

Want to try out more the 100+ total body workouts that fit any schedule? Then check out our on-demand library here!

Cheers,

Heather McCreight