Home bodyweight

10-minute wake-up

A short, no-kit session to get the blood flowing — legs, push, core and a stretch, all standing or on a mat.

9min
Beginner Low impact No equipment
Lime-green outdoor gym machines beside a path in a leafy London garden square
Photo: David Hawgood, CC BY-SA 2.0

Ten minutes is enough to count. The UK guidelines say any activity is better than none, and small bouts add up across the day and week.

This one keeps it simple: one round, timed sets, short rests.

The plan

Warm-up 3 min 15 sec

  • March on the spot1 min 30 sec
  • Heel digs with punches45 sec
  • Shoulder rolls30 sec
  • Small knee bends30 sec

Main set Work through in order

ExerciseDoRest after
Bodyweight squat
Smooth and steady
40 sec 20 sec
Wall press-up 40 sec 20 sec
Reverse lunge
Alternate legs
40 sec 20 sec
Bird dog
Alternate sides
40 sec 20 sec
Glute bridge 40 sec 20 sec

Cool-down 1 min 10 sec

  • Calf stretch at a wall, left20 sec
  • Calf stretch at a wall, right20 sec
  • Child's pose30 sec

This workout is part of: 4-week home strength starter.

Sources

  1. NHS: How to warm up before exercising — checked 3 Oct 2026
  2. NHS: Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 — checked 3 Oct 2026

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