Getting started with any new exercise routine can feel difficult, so it’s best to take baby steps and begin at your own pace. And finding one that’s fun will make the process a little easier. Little by little you’ll start to get better with the help of a reliable fitness tracker, workout apps, and online exercise classes.
Here are some of the best beginner workouts to try if you’re starting a weight loss journey.
1. Walking: Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone
Walking is one of the most popular ways to exercise, and it’s also one of the best ways to start losing weight and improving your fitness. Since it requires no equipment, you can do a quick walk anywhere, and it’s absolutely free.
It is a low-impact cardio exercise that can improve your mobility and strength, and you have plenty of opportunities to make it fun. If you have a pet who likes to walk, take them with you for some fun motivation. If you like hiking or taking nature photos, plan part of your walk along local trails.
Even walking at a fairly slow pace can get your heart rate up and help you burn calories as you start a weight loss journey.
If you’re sick of walking around your neighborhood and would prefer to do your walking from the comfort of your living room, then take a look at the Walk at Home YouTube Channel by Leslie Sansone.
Her videos are incredibly popular, and they include a wide range of great classes that are free and easy to do for beginners. There’s also an accompanying Walk at Home mobile app that you can use to watch videos from different collections and download them for offline viewing.
Whether you have 30 minutes or 15 minutes free, Sansone’s exercise classes are fun and will help you enjoy your walking workout.
Download: Walk At Home for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Water Aerobics: Fitness Anytime and Anywhere by Marzena
Doing exercises in the water can have a range of amazing benefits, especially for people who suffer from painful joints and bones or have difficulty moving. Because water makes the body feel lighter, it is a wonderful way for beginners to start exercising.
But if swimming laps is too harsh, water aerobics is a great alternative to try.
If there are no water aerobics classes available where you live then it’s a great idea to follow along with a guided water aerobics class online. Try the Fitness Anytime and Anywhere YouTube Channel by Marzena, which offers water workouts that are simple and easy to follow.
Her classes are varied and include water aerobics classes, water Pilates, exercise routines with pool noodles and resistance bands, and more.
Popular workout videos include the following:
Fat Burning Aqua Aerobic Workout with Water Dumbbells and Pool Noodles (YouTube) Water Pilates: Balance and Strength Exercises in the Pool (YouTube) Water Exercises with Aqua Noodles: Cardio (YouTube)
Add one of her workouts to your routine, and you’ll get all the benefits of exercising without the strain on your joints and bones.
3. Stationary Bike: Zwift
Just like walking, riding a stationary bike is another cardio exercise to add to your routine that’s easy to do and great for anyone just starting out a weight loss journey.
Because you won’t be riding a bike through traffic or over rough terrain, using a stationary bike is safer and offers a more comfortable experience.
Some seated, stationary bikes also come with a backrest for added support. It’s also beneficial for those who have back problems or need to strengthen their core muscles before they can ride long distances.
Not only does riding a stationary bike enhance the muscles in your lower body, but it also contributes to other important health benefits, like cardio fitness, by strengthening your heart and lungs and improving your body’s oxygen capacity.
One of the best benefits of having an indoor stationary bike is that you can make use of a great cycling app. Are you wondering which is the best cycling app for you? One of the most popular apps, Zwift, has an amazing app that makes cycling indoors fun!
The Zwift app has over 1,000 workouts available that you can customize. Plus, you can track your progress and goals and chat with friends in the community groups.
Download: Zwift for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
4. Jump Rope: Jump Rope Dudes
Besides being an old game that you might’ve played with your friends at school, jump rope is also an effective way to exercise and achieve amazing results.
Jump rope is simple to do: with just a rope, you can burn almost the same number of calories as riding a bike.
Although jump rope is a great way to exercise for beginners, it is a high-impact workout. It’s best to start slow, watch your posture, and slowly work your way up.
If you’d like to start your weight loss journey by doing jump rope exercises, then it’s best to use a guided online class. The popular Jump Rope Dudes YouTube channel coaches you through lots of simple jump rope classes that you can do right at home.
Do you want to do a 10-minute jump rope workout or commit to a 7-day beginner challenge? Either way, you can browse through the Jump Rope Dudes’ YouTube playlists and find exactly what you need.
5. Lifting Weights: Fitbod
A lot of people start with the wrong idea about exercise. They think that cardio is the only way to lose weight. However, lifting weights can also be equally important.
Weight training can help you burn calories, just like cardio workouts. By lifting weights, you can strengthen your muscles and prepare your body to perform even better on your cardio workouts while reducing the risk of injuries.
You can start lifting weights at home, but it can be challenging to start from scratch. It’s best to use a weightlifting app like Fitbod to help you along the way.
Fitbod is a free app that features a range of exercises for beginners and experienced weight lifters. The app allows you to choose your activity type, goals, and the number of workouts you’d like to do per week. It intelligently creates a workout plan that pushes you to progress gradually while allowing adequate time for rest.
Not everyone has access to gym equipment and proper weights, which is why the Fitbod app also includes workout routines designed to be done without equipment.
Download: Fitbod for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available)
Get Started With These Beginner Workouts
If you’re ready to begin your weight loss journey, remember not to put too much stress on your body. As a beginner, it’s better to slowly ease into a regular workout routine and start small.
Be sure to download the apps and watch the online exercises classes mentioned to get the best experience out of every workout that you do. And don’t be scared to try each one of them until you find the one that you love!
