Ditch the weights — this 8-move no jumping workout builds strength and boosts the metabolism without any equipment

a photo of a woman doing a kneeling push-up
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Looking to build strength without the need for any equipment or high-impact movements? This simple eight move, no-equipment strength-building workout is one for you to try. 

Whether you're recovering from an injury, suffer from joint pain or simply prefer a quieter workout, this no-jumping routine from fitness trainer Kayla Itsines will help you to build muscle and increase strength in your upper and lower body muscles without unnecessary strain or noise for your neighbors. 

With Istines' help, you'll be targeting major muscle groups, improving your functional fitness, and boosting your overall fitness — all without the need for any special equipment. However, the one thing you might like to get your hands on for this workout is one of the best yoga mats to make things more comfortable on your joints and back as you exercise.

Watch Itsines' no jumping full-body workout

In case you didn't catch the details in the post above, the reps vary per exercise. We will outline each below. All you need to focus on is nailing the correct form of each move and getting through three rounds of the full routine.

  1. Glute Bridge: 12 reps
  2. Reverse Lunges: 20 reps (10 per side)
  3. Squat: 12 reps
  4. Single Leg Glute Bridge: 20 reps (10 per side)
  5. Commando: 10 reps
  6. Knee Push-Ups: 12 reps
  7. Russian Twist: 20 reps (10 per side)
  8. Leg Raises: 12 reps

With exercises like the Glute Bridge, Reverse Lunges, and Squats, you’ll engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously through compound movements. This means you’ll get more out of each exercise compared to single-muscle isolation exercises.

One of the features we love about this routine is its emphasis on core strength. Exercises like the Single Leg Glute Bridge, Commando, Knee Push-Ups, Russian Twist, and Leg Raises specifically challenge your midsection; the muscles in here play a crucial role in connecting your upper and lower body. The stronger these muscles are the better your balance, stability and coordination will get.

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, this workout is designed to be low-impact, meaning it is suitable for anyone who wants to avoid the stress and strain that high-impact exercises can place on their joints. By leaving out jumping movements, the routine is gentle on your knees, hips, and ankles, reducing the risk of injury while still providing a challenging strength-building session.

Another advantage of this no-equipment workout is its versatility and accessibility. Since it doesn’t require any special equipment, you can perform these exercises anywhere, whether you’re at home, traveling, or in a small apartment. This element of convenience allows you to stay consistent with exercise without requiring a gym membership or any expensive gear.

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Jessica Downey
Fitness Writer

Jessica is an experienced fitness writer with a passion for running. Her love for keeping fit and fueling her body with healthy and enjoyable food quite naturally led her to write about all things fitness and health-related. If she isn’t out testing the latest fitness products such as the latest running shoe or yoga mat for reviewing then she can be found writing news and features on the best ways to build strength, active aging, female health, and anything in between. Before then she had a small stint writing in local news, has also written for Runners World UK (print and digital), and gained experience with global content marketing agency, Cedar Communications.

Born and raised in Scotland, Jessica is a massive fan of exercising and keeping active outdoors. When at home she can be found running by the sea, swimming in it, or up a mountain. This continued as she studied and trained to become a PPA-accredited magazine journalist in Wales. And since working and living in London, she splits her time between weight training in the gym, trying new fitness classes, and finding scenic running routes. Jessica enjoys documenting this on her fitness-inspired Instagram page @jessrunshere where she loves engaging with like-minded fitness junkies.

She is a big fan of healthy cooking and loves learning more about this area with expert nutritionists she has met over the years. Jessica is a big advocate for building healthy relationships with food rather than building restrictive attitudes towards it. When she isn’t eating or running she also enjoys practicing yoga in her free time as it helps her to unwind and benefits her performance in other sports.