So I have started trying to integrate some sort of exercise into my daily routine (and luckily for me, I have plenty of time to do it being a student and about to have my end-of-year break!) and was after some suggestions of some quick exercises I could do in the privacy of my bedroom or backyard with little to no equipment?

I'm up for anything, am pretty flexible and just want to get some bit of a work out I can do in a day when I have some time to myself. Maximum 30 minutes really, but anything that has helped you guys would be great!

Hi there! I'm not sure of any DVD's, but have you tried searching on Youtube? There are some great videos on there of all kinds. If you're not looking for videos I would try doing an internet search for "15 minute workouts" and you should be able to find websites that list various exercises and reps to do.

Good luck!

Beachbody has "10 Minute Trainer"

The "Melt if off" with Mitch Gaylord program has "Melt in 10"

If you're willing to go longer, I'd try Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 or 30 Day Shred. Those are half hour programs.

If you buy the "Melt it off" program, do NOT buy it from the Melt It Off website. They try to rope you into a monthly vitamin program. If you just get it from Amazon, all you get is the videos and the ball, no recurring monthly charges for vitamins. The program itself is good, tho.

Thanks both of you!

I've had a look at these and mixing up a few of those with a few things from NerdFitness (even if it is more addressed towards men then women's fitness).

Also check bodyrock.tv . They have brief workouts (15 minutes ish max) suitable for home on there and they put out a new workout every single day so it stays fresh and interesting.

I do kettlebell workouts, which go about 20 minutes of active time plus near 10 minutes of warm-up and cool-down (5m each, before and after). I use videos from this awesome Irish lady's website: http://www.myomytv.com/category/begi...bell-workouts/. You could start out with a 15lb. one from Target for about $45.

Also, I recommend Shape Bikini Body Camp - Redefining Workout. It has 30 minute segments and 5 minute mini workout add-ons. It is AWESOME.

Oooh these are some great suggestions *taking notes*. I want to try kettlebells so badly but I hurt my back lower back/sciatica a few years back and I'm scared about re-injuring it.

You and me both Sunny, but thanks for the tips RVA and Toasted - I am actually about to move house in the next few months so maybe getting some lifting in earlier will do me the world of good beforehand!

Try Bodyrock.tv! It's online, free and you just need some dumbbells really. It's mostly bodyweight stuff. They do have some equipment but they generally offer you substitutions. I think they're doing another 30 Day Challenge soon. Most workouts range from 12 - 20 minutes and it's all interval training.

They do workouts that are called "Burn" "Sculpt" and "Flow" so you get a little bit of everything through the week. Best discovery ever!

You have some great suggestions already but if you search Tiffanny Rothe in youtube, you'll find a lot of 10 min workouts on her channel and its pretty fun you can do 2 or 3 of those a day

Hey JM - have you found anything that has worked for you yet?

I've found a few things which are really getting me into things. The Tiffany Rothe videos (especially the more dance related ones) have been really great for helping me warm up and just have some fun while I'm at it.

I've also adapted a few of the bodyrock.tv and NerdFitness to target stomach and legs, though I pulled a muscle in my shoulder last week helping move things for moving house so my arms are taking a bit of a break.

Thus far a general day I do:

Morning
5 min warm up
10 mins of Tiffany Rothe ( youtube /r_J8btnIEKQ specifically is one of my favourites of the ones I've been trying)
5 min cool down

Afternoon (reference: nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/04/12/playground-workout/ )
5 min warm up
20 bent leg reverse crunches
20 straight leg reverse crunches
20 (each leg) lunges
15 elevated push ups
10 lower incline push ups (still can't do a proper push up, but I'll get there)
20 alternating step ups
5 mins cool down

Evening/night
5 min warm up
15 min 'warm up' from the ever lovely 80's aerobics work out videos my mother has stashed away (trying to do anything but the work out right now is near impossible)
5 min cool down


While I haven't seen any difference in terms of weight (seemingly put on weight actually which worries me a tad, but not enough to freak out yet) I've been feeling a lot more energetic and upbeat during a day, and found it doesn't take as much actual thought to suck in my stomach (though my belts are feeling tighter and digging in more while my jeans are getting looser so I'm slightly concerned).

I love my 3- or 5-pound Danskin soft weight balls, and also weight bands. They are inexpensive, don't take up much storage space, and you can do a lot of exercises with them.

That sounds like an amazing routine you have. I really like Tiffany Rothe's lower abs workout.

Good luck!