What Beginner Workout Is Right For Me?

Take this quiz to find out!
BetterMeThis quiz was independently created by wikiHow and sponsored by BetterMe.

You want to start exercising, but when you’re a beginner, it’s hard to know where to begin. You know there’s probably a perfect workout plan out there for you—one that would leave you feeling stress-free, confident, and energized. But what is it?

Answer these 8 simple questions, and we’ll handle the rest. To be paired with a science-backed, personalized exercise program that’s perfect for beginners, click “Start Quiz” now.

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Questions Overview

1. What do you most want to get out of your workout plan?
  1. Reduced stress.
  2. Better flexibility and lean muscle.
  3. Increased strength and athleticism.
  4. Weight loss.
2. How do you want to feel at the end of each workout?
  1. Centered and relaxed.
  2. Sore, but not sweaty.
  3. Sweaty and totally spent.
  4. I don’t know.
3. What is limiting you most right now?
  1. Having to go to the gym.
  2. Lack of flexibility in my schedule.
  3. Not knowing where to begin.
  4. All of the above.
4. Pick the exercise that sounds most fun to you:
  1. Yoga in the living room.
  2. Light stretching in my room.
  3. Lifting weights in the park.
  4. Cardio at the gym.
5. Choose the statement that sounds most like you:
  1. I want an exercise plan that leaves my body looking sculpted.
  2. I’ve always found exercise to be so stressful—I want a plan that’s actually relaxing.
  3. I want an exercise schedule that works me hard, but I don’t want to plan it out myself.
  4. To be honest, I’m not sure I want to work out at all. Is there another way to get the body I want?
6. After working out, I want to feel like:
  1. A happier version of myself.
  2. A master of my mind and body.
  3. A warrior.
  4. I’m not sure.
7. In the past, I really haven’t enjoyed workouts that:
  1. Are high impact.
  2. Don’t cause me to work up a sweat.
  3. Force me to work out my core.
  4. I don’t really have any past workout experience.
8. How important to you is losing weight versus actually working out?
  1. Not nearly as important. I want to exercise hard, but losing weight isn’t as big of a focus.
  2. About equally as important. I want to lose weight and get a good workout in.
  3. Not nearly as important. I want to lose weight, but if I didn’t have to work out to get there, I wouldn’t!
  4. I’m not sure.

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This is the power of wall pilates! With nothing but a flat wall for support, you can tone your body and declutter your mind. Wall Pilates is just as it sounds: a whole-body exercise based on strategic movements that target all of your little muscles, leaving you looking stronger, sharper, and fitter, all without sweaty cardio or high-impact lifting. It\u2019s also fun, quick, easy to perform, convenient\u2014and most importantly, effective.

For your personal needs, goals, and experience level, we recommend BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a><\/b>. Why? Because they take the guesswork out of exercise, and instead, match you with expert-level planning and advice. You\u2019ll have access to over 4,000 diverse workouts, meal plans, calorie & water trackers, plus support and progress-tracking from your own certified fitness coach (and even 24\/7 access to your own weight loss coach, too). And what\u2019s more, BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a> is committed to offering workouts that people will actually enjoy\u2014which means instead of dreading the gym, you\u2019ll find yourself looking forward to daily exercise. To get started on your personalized wall pilates plan, visit BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a>. After a quick quiz that\u2019ll determine your specific needs and interests, you\u2019ll be given a customized health plan made just for you!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Work Out at Home","id":1328544,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Work Out at Home"},{"title":"How to Get Fit","id":27598,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Get Fit"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You should try a beginner somatic exercise plan!","meaning":"Picture this: a month from now, you\u2019re feeling more centered and peaceful than you have in years. You\u2019re more focused on your mind-body connection, and your entire life has improved as a result. You just feel amazing, and you didn\u2019t have to sink tons of time, energy, and sweat into this transformation. You got there through the power of somatic exercise.

Somatic exercises are all about mindfulness. Rather than just going through the motions, you\u2019re encouraged to focus on how movement makes you feel\u2014and this cutting-edge exercise offers amazing benefits as a result. Without sweating, burning calories, or even leaving your bed, you can actually lower your stress levels, cut your cortisol, and even help you lose weight. It\u2019s sort of like the secret, magic hack of physical health: you can totally bypass standard, butt-kicking workouts, but still see the best benefits. Somatic exercise is the definition of working smarter, not harder.

For your personal needs, goals, and experience level, we recommend BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a><\/b>. Why? Because they take the guesswork out of exercise, and instead, match you with expert-level planning and advice. You\u2019ll have access to over 4,000 diverse workouts, meal plans, calorie & water trackers, plus support and progress-tracking from your own certified fitness coach (and even 24\/7 access to your own weight loss coach, too). And what\u2019s more, BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a> is committed to offering workouts that people will actually enjoy\u2014which means instead of dreading the gym, you\u2019ll find yourself looking forward to daily exercise. To get started on your personalized somatic plan, visit BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a>. After a quick quiz that\u2019ll determine your specific needs and interests, you\u2019ll be given a customized health plan made just for you!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Work Out at Home","id":1328544,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Work Out at Home"},{"title":"How to Get Fit","id":27598,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Get Fit"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You should try a beginner calisthenics exercise plan!","meaning":"Picture this: a month from now, you\u2019re feeling stronger, more capable, and more confident than you ever have before. You\u2019re proud of how hard you push your body each week. You get your sweat on regularly, and you leave every workout feeling like a warrior.

This is the power of a great calisthenics workout plan, and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re suggesting for you based on your answers. Full body calisthenics uses targeted, strategic body-weight exercises that are designed to work your body hard\u2014without the need for bulky weights and exercise equipment. Calisthenics blends cardio and strength exercises that leave you stronger, more flexible, and more fit. You\u2019ll be left with a balanced, toned body and a clearer mind to match.

For your personal needs, goals, and experience level, we recommend BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a><\/b>. Why? Because they take the guesswork out of exercise, and instead, match you with expert-level planning and advice. You\u2019ll have access to over 4,000 diverse workouts, meal plans, calorie & water trackers, plus support and progress-tracking from your own certified fitness coach (and even 24\/7 access to your own weight loss coach, too). And what\u2019s more, BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a> is committed to offering workouts that people will actually enjoy\u2014which means instead of dreading the gym, you\u2019ll find yourself looking forward to daily exercise. To get started on your personalized wall calisthenics plan, visit BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a>. After a quick quiz that\u2019ll determine your specific needs and interests, you\u2019ll be given a customized health plan made just for you!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Work Out at Home","id":1328544,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Work Out at Home"},{"title":"How to Get Fit","id":27598,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Get Fit"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":4,"text":"Maybe instead of a workout pan, you should try intermittent fasting!","meaning":"Picture this: in a month, you\u2019re feeling more confident and fresh than you have in years. You\u2019ve dropped weight that you wanted to lose, and you feel amazing about yourself as a result. You found a health and exercise plan that\u2019s easy and fun to follow, so instead of leaving you feeling stressed and unfulfilled, you feel completely empowered. And you accomplished all of this through the power of intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting frees you from following a strict exercise plan and avoiding unhealthy foods like the plague. Intermittent fasting isn\u2019t about what you eat\u2014it\u2019s about when. By refraining from food for certain periods of the day, you\u2019ll lose weight, reduce stress, and feel better about yourself in the process.

For your personal needs, goals, and experience level, we recommend BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a><\/b>. Why? Because they take the guesswork out of losing weight, and instead, match you with expert-level planning and advice. You\u2019ll have access to over 4,000 diverse workouts, meal plans, calorie & water trackers, plus support and progress-tracking from your own certified fitness coach (and even 24\/7 access to your own weight loss coach, too). And what\u2019s more, BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a> is committed to offering intermittent fasting plans that people will actually enjoy\u2014which means instead of dreading your diet, you\u2019ll find yourself feeling stress-free. To get started on your personalized intermittent fasting plan, visit BetterMe: Health Coaching<\/a>. After a quick quiz that\u2019ll determine your specific needs and interests, you\u2019ll be given a customized health plan made just for you!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Work Out at Home","id":1328544,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Work-Out-at-Home","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Work-Out-at-Home-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Work Out at Home"},{"title":"How to Get Fit","id":27598,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Fit","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Treat-a-Migraine-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Get Fit"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Maturity<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Mature Quiz"},{"title":"Ink Blot Test","id":14555569,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Ink-Blot-Test","image":"\"Ink<\/picture>","alt":"Ink Blot Test"},{"title":"Who Was I in a Past Life Quiz","id":13714519,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Past-Life-Regression-Test","image":"\"Past<\/picture>","alt":"Who Was I in a Past Life Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Sun, of course. Everything is brighter!","result":"That's amazing! In that case, we picked these quizzes personally for you: ","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Love Language Quiz","id":13401673,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Love-Language-Quiz","image":"\"Love<\/picture>","alt":"Love Language Quiz"},{"title":"Super Abilities Quiz","id":14392570,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Super-Abilities-Quiz","image":"\"Super<\/picture>","alt":"Super Abilities Quiz"},{"title":"How Strong Is Your Intuition Quiz","id":14372260,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Intuition-Test","image":"\"Intuition<\/picture>","alt":"How Strong Is Your Intuition Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

5 Health & Fitness Myths You Should Ignore

  • Your mindset doesn't matter. On the contrary, your mental and emotional state is proven to effective your physical health and weight loss. Did you know that mindfulness can lower your stress levels, which means lower cortisol, less stress eating, and more weight loss?
  • To lose weight, I should just do cardio. Cardio isn't the only way to lose weight if that's your goal. Incorporating strength training (like calisthenics) and stress-reducing exercises can be a way more effective way to target your fitness goals.
  • To be effective, your workout should be at least an hour. This just isn't true! In reality, it's quality over quantity with fitness. You absolutely don't need to be at the gym for at least an hour to be making meaningful gains. In 10-20 minutes, you can make real strides towards your fitness goals!
  • If I'm not sweating, then I'm not getting healthier. The amount of sweat someone produces is dependent on a ton of things: age, genetics, environmental factors, you name it. Sweat isn't a good way to measure your gains or effort, and you can absolutely have an effective workout without sweating.
  • No pain, no gain. This one is a no-brainer! You don't have to be miserable in order to be improving your physical health. You can enjoy yourself and become more relaxed during a beneficial workout. No pain required!

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