10 Classic Exercises for Women
Staying fit and healthy is essential for everyone, and incorporating a variety of exercises into your routine can help you achieve a well-balanced workout. Here are ten classic exercises that are great for women, targeting different muscle groups and promoting overall fitness.
Squats
- Why: Squats are excellent for strengthening the lower body, particularly the quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
- How: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, lower your body as if sitting in a chair, keeping your chest up and knees over your toes, then return to the starting position.
Push-Ups
- Why: Push-ups are great for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core.
- How: Start in a plank position, lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor, and then push back up to the starting position. Modify by doing push-ups on your knees if needed.
Plank
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- Why: Planks are an excellent core-strengthening exercise that also engages the shoulders, back, and legs.
- How: Hold a push-up position with your body in a straight line from head to heels, keeping your core tight and back flat.
Lunges
- Why: Lunges work the quads, hamstrings, and glutes while also improving balance and coordination.
- How: Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle, then push back to the starting position and switch legs.
Bent-Over Rows
- Why: This exercise targets the upper back, shoulders, and biceps, improving posture and upper body strength.
- How: Bend forward at the hips with a slight bend in your knees, hold weights in each hand, and pull them towards your ribcage, keeping your elbows close to your body.
Bicycle Crunches
- Why: Bicycle crunches are great for targeting the obliques and the rectus abdominis for a strong, defined core.
- How: Lie on your back, lift your legs to a tabletop position, and alternate bringing your opposite elbow to your opposite knee while extending the other leg.
Deadlifts

- Why: Deadlifts work the entire posterior chain, including the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, promoting overall strength.
- How: Stand with feet hip-width apart, hold weights in front of your thighs, hinge at the hips to lower the weights while keeping your back straight, then return to the starting position.
Shoulder Press
- Why: This exercise targets the shoulders and triceps, helping to build upper body strength and stability.
- How: Hold weights at shoulder height with palms facing forward, press the weights overhead until your arms are fully extended, then lower back to the starting position.
Leg Raises
- Why: Leg raises focus on the lower abs and hip flexors, helping to strengthen and tone the core.
- How: Lie on your back with your legs straight, lift your legs towards the ceiling while keeping them straight, then slowly lower them back down without touching the floor.
Hip Bridges
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- Why: Hip bridges target the glutes and lower back, helping to build strength and stability in the posterior chain.
- How: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, lift your hips towards the ceiling by squeezing your glutes, hold for a moment, then lower back down.
Incorporate these classic exercises into your routine for a comprehensive workout that enhances strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Remember to maintain proper form and gradually increase intensity to prevent injuries and maximize benefits.