What Are the 10 Best Exercises? Benefits and How to Fit Them into Your Routine

There are countless ways to focus on your wellness, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To make exercising a regular part of your life, it’s best to begin with a few simple activities.

Here are 10 wellness practices that can help you build strength and improve flexibility. Before long, you’ll have a solid foundation that will make it easier to add more activities to your routine if you choose to.

Benefits Of Working Out

You’ve probably wondered, "What are some great activities?" and are diving into the best workout routines. That’s a fantastic start!

Choosing a workout routine that fits you perfectly brings a ton of benefits. Sticking to your routine will make you stronger and more flexible. It’ll also boost your confidence and self-esteem. Plus, if you exercise with others, you'll enjoy social benefits too.

10 Great Exercises to Add to Your Daily Routine

Planks Planks are excellent for building core strength and engaging your arms and legs.

Begin on your hands and knees, with your arms extended and toes on the floor. Tuck your chin slightly and gaze down at the ground in front of your hands. Straighten your legs so your body forms a straight line from your head to your heels. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then gently lower your knees back to the floor. Aim for 2-3 sets, doing as many 30-second holds as you can comfortably manage.

Lunges Lunges are perfect for strengthening your legs and glutes while stretching your muscles.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Step forward with your right foot, bending your right knee. Make sure your knee doesn’t go past your toes and your right thigh is parallel to the ground. Push off with your right leg to return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg. That’s one rep. Complete three sets of 10 reps.

Pushups Pushups are fantastic for working multiple muscle groups and building strength.

Start in a plank position with your body in a straight line, legs extended, toes on the floor, and hands placed under your shoulders. Bend your elbows to lower your body until your chest touches the floor. Push back up until your arms are straight again. Do three sets of as many reps as you can. If regular pushups are too challenging, you can modify them by keeping your knees on the floor.

Squats

Squats are a fantastic way to strengthen your core and lower body. Plus, because they engage large muscle groups, they burn a lot of calories.

To get started, stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Keep a positive attitude, bend your knees, and push your hips back as if you're about to sit in a chair. Bring your hands together in front of your chest. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground, hold for a moment, and then push back up to the starting position. Aim for three sets of 20 reps.

Overhead Dumbbell Presses

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lift the dumbbells to head level with your upper arms parallel to the ground and elbows bent at 90 degrees. Engage your core and press the weights overhead until your arms are fully extended. Pause, then lower the dumbbells back to the starting position. Do three sets of 12 reps.

Single-Leg Deadlifts

Hold the dumbbell in your right hand with your knees slightly bent. Hinge forward at the hips, lifting your left leg straight behind you while lowering the dumbbell toward the floor. Raise your leg until it's in line with the floor or to a comfortable height, then slowly return to the starting position. Do 10 reps lifting your left leg, switch the dumbbell to your left hand, and do 10 reps lifting your right leg.

Dumbbell Rows

This exercise targets various muscles in your chest using two 10-pound hand weights.

Hold a weight in each hand. Lean forward at a 45-degree angle from your waist, keeping your core tight and your neck aligned with your back. Let your arms hang down. Lift the weight in your right hand up toward your chest, then return to the starting position. Repeat with your left hand. That’s one rep. Do three sets of 10 reps.

Side Planks

Side planks are great for strengthening your core. Start by lying on your right side with your legs straight and your left foot stacked on top of your right. Place your right elbow directly under your shoulder, with your forearm flat on the ground. Lift your hips and knees off the floor, creating a straight line from your head to your feet. Lower your hips back down and repeat. Do three sets of 10 reps on each side.

Glute Bridge

This move is fantastic for working your glutes.

Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, knees bent, and arms at your sides, palms facing down. Push through your heels to lift your hips off the ground, while keeping your shoulders and upper back on the floor. Hold for a moment at the top, then lower your hips back down. Perform three sets of 10 reps.

Burpees

Burpees are an excellent full-body exercise that also boosts your cardio.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Reach forward and squat down. When your hands touch the ground, kick your legs out behind you into a push-up position. Jump your feet back toward your hands, stand up, and then jump in the air. That’s one rep. Complete three sets of 10 reps.