We love fitness. We love working out, we love writing workouts for you to try at home, and we certainly love a good effective workout. But we still have out limits as to how long we want to workout each day. Life happens and sometimes we can’t be in the gym the length we would like to, so instead of skipping it all together, we focus on exercises that work our whole body instead of creating a whole workout session that works the whole body.
It is important that if you are going to take the time to workout, then you should be as effective as possible when executing your workouts. Next time you only have about 20 minutes to get in a good workout or just want to try to gain more strength in your whole body, give one of these five whole body exercises a try.
Kettlebell Swings
The kettlebell is an explosive movement that targets your glutes, hamstrings, core, shoulders, and quads all at once! Not just swings though, a kettlebell is a great tool to use in many different movements that can target the whole body.
Farmer Carry
Probably the simplest exercise on the list, this exercise is still equally effective at working the whole body. All you need to do is find something heavy, whether it is kettlebells, dumbbells, jugs of water, etc. Make sure you have one in each hand and then go for a walk. Surprisingly you won’t make it on your walk too far before your body is screaming to put the weight down.
Deadlift
Deadlifts from afar are one of those exercises that look like they would be just a lower body exercise, but really they are much more than that. Sure they are super effective at working the hamstrings and glutes, but they are super effective at targeting the back, whole leg, and your arms!
Renegade Row
A renegade row is basically like if a plank, push-up, and rows had a baby, but more like they gave birth to a baby Hulk. Truly a lot going on but a super effective way to target your back, arms, squads, and core. Then if you want to get super crazy (aka add an additional cardio element into the mix), you can add a burpee into the exercise too!
Ball Slams
Like the kettlebell swings, weighted (medicine) ball slams are a very explosive movement. They work the whole body because you have to slam the ball down from a full extension of your body, squat down to pick it up, then raise it above your head again. It’s hard work, very effective, and one that will unexpectedly make your abs sore the next day!
