15 Minute Workout at Home

15 Minute Workout at Home

Is your schedule hectic, and you don’t have much time to exercise?

If so, read on because we are going to outline how to enjoy a simple 15 minute workout at home, even if you don’t have much equipment. And most importantly, it covers all of the major muscle groups, A-Z.

Let’s dive in.

15 Minute Workout At Home With Dumbbells

The purpose of this workout is to burn calories, help you get lean, and tone your muscles.

Here it goes:

Exercise/ActivityNote/Tip
3-minute light cardio to warm-upjumping jacks, jump rope, jog in place, high knees, etc.
Classic Push-upDo as many reps as you can
Bent-over Dumbbell RowsAim for up to 15 reps or more if you’re using light weights
Dumbbell Side RaisesControl the tempo by raising and lowering the weight smoothly
Alternating Dumbbell CurlsTrain through a full range of motion and squeeze your biceps at the top
2-dumbbell KickbacksPick a pair of light dumbbells and train both triceps together
CrunchesDon’t worry so much about the rep count; strive to engage your abs on each rep
Bodyweight SquatsDo slow and controlled reps, descending as low as possible while keeping your heels on the ground

15-Minute Workout At Home Without Dumbbells

The following workout is excellent for burning extra calories and developing several major muscle groups.

Here’s how to do it:

Exercise/ActivityNote/Tip
3-minute light cardio to warm upJumping jacks, jump rope, jog in place, high knees, etc.
Classic Push-upDo slow and controlled reps, descending until your nose is an inch or two from the floor
Bench Push-upYou can do these on a sturdy chair or even the kitchen counter
Chin-ups *You will need a Pull-up bar
Supermans *If you don’t have a pull-up bar, do these on the floor
Bench dipsGreat for developing the triceps
CrunchesIt’s best to have an exercise mat
PlankYou can pick from many variations
Bodyweight SquatDescend until your thighs are parallel to the floor
Is Planking Good for Abs?

Sets And Reps Recommendations

Here are some workout recommendations for sets and reps based on fitness level:

  • Beginner – 1 or 2 sets, 10 to 15 reps
  • Intermediate – 2 or 3 sets, 6 to 12 reps
  • Advanced – 3 or 4 sets, 6 to 12 reps

Of course, there are merely suggestions. You can experiment with different rep ranges and do more or fewer sets to see what works best.

Rest Periods, Workout Duration, and More

Let’s go over some additional recommendations for your 15-minute workout at home:

  • Rest for 30 seconds between sets
  • Rest up to 60 seconds between exercises
  • An exercise ball can provide more options for effective workouts
  • For weight loss, do additional cardio after your workout

If done correctly, the workout should take roughly 15 minutes or slightly more if you take longer to warm up.

Safety And Final Words

Any good workout starts with a warm-up session to prepare your body, reduce the injury risk, and optimize your performance. (1)

Your warm-up should begin with light cardio (e.g., jumping jacks) to raise your core body temperature. From there, do some dynamic stretching to improve muscle flexibility and overall mobility. Leg and arm swings, torso rotations, and bodyweight squats are good options.

From there, do a few warm-up sets, where you perform the first workout activity at a lower intensity. For example, if you’re about to do push-ups as a first movement, do a couple of warm-up sets of knee or incline push-ups.

Home Workouts Are Super Effective

Home workouts are as effective as workouts in the gym when done correctly. You can work all major muscle groups from the comfort of your home, and don’t even need a gym membership. (2)

You can achieve more variations in the gym which can be helpful, but it’s not crucial to achieve great results. 

So whether you’re looking for a home bicep workout, home tricep workout, home chest workout, home back workout, or anything in between, the possibilities are endless. Home workouts are every bit as effective as gym workouts if you have the right plan. 

Click to see a complete array of home workout routines, and see our home workout videos.

David Williams

David Williams

A diet and fitness enthusiast, David is an ex-Army Airborne Ranger and Infantry soldier with decades of fitness and wellness experience. A West Point graduate with a degree in engineering, he focuses on technical research related to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. He loves the beach and working out, and spending time with his wife and daughters.

References

  1. Elizabeth Quinn, M. S. (2020, March 13). Prevent injuries. Verywell Fit.
    https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-warm-up-before-exercise-3119266
  2. Home workouts: More effective than the gym? Orlando Health. (n.d.). 
    https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/home-workouts-more-effective-than-the-gym

Click to see our medical disclosure.