Are you looking for the best workout for weight loss and toning that you can do at home? If so, then you’ve landed on the right page.
Despite what you may have been led to believe, you won’t need to go to a gym or hire a personal fitness trainer to lose weight and get into shape.
The best way I’ve found to lose weight and burn body fat is to combine sensible low-calorie eating with regular aerobic activity undertaken for three to five hours a week. Commit to this, and watch the pounds and inches drop off!
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What is the best aerobic activity?
The aerobic activity you choose to do can be as simple as walking. Walking is an excellent option if you don’t have the money to buy or the room for exercise equipment.
It’s practical, convenient, and all you will need to start is comfortable clothing and a pair of walking shoes.
Walking is also one of the easiest exercises to do if you’re not athletic, and the benefits of walking encompass more than just weight loss.
Start with twenty to thirty minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, and build from there if you wish to.
Can I get a good aerobic workout at home?
If you want to burn calories without stepping outside your front door, look at investing in some home cardio equipment or a good exercise DVD or two.
I currently use an elliptical trainer and a Maxi Climber and supplement these with fitness DVDs. I love the variety the latter offers. My current favorite is Figure 8 Fitness which I am doing for the third time.
When formulating a workout for weight loss and toning, decide which toning exercises to include. You can change these at any time if you don’t like the moves or you aren’t getting the desired result.
I’ve tried many muscle toning exercises over the years. All worked to a certain extent, but some worked better than others. Following is a workout for weight loss and toning at home that works well for me.
My Recommended Workout for Weight Loss and Toning at Home
Keep in mind that there is no one best workout for weight loss and toning. Some people only do exercises that focus on their particular trouble spots.
I prefer to do a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups, so that is what you will find in my recommended workout below.
None of the exercises require any equipment. However, you will tone up faster and burn more calories by incorporating light weights where possible.
Depending on the exercise, start 10 to 20 reps of each if you can. Build up to two, then three sets, as your strength and fitness improve.
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Push-Ups
Benefits:
This age-old classic exercises the upper body, improving core, arms, back, shoulders, and triceps strength.
Method:
1) Kneel with your hands beneath your shoulders, palms flat on the floor, and your arms straight but not locked.
2) Engage your core and extend your legs behind you so that your body is in a straight line. Lift your heels, so the balls of your feet are supporting your weight.
3) Engage your core, then slowly bend your elbows, allowing them to move out to either side as you lower your chest towards the floor.
4) Slowly straighten your elbows, pushing back to your starting position.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
If you find the exercise too difficult at first, execute the moves with your knees bent on the floor.
As your strength improves, increase the challenge by doing the exercise with your feet resting on an elevated surface.
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Plank Crawls
Benefits:
This one works the entire upper body.
Method:
1) Kneel in a Push-Up position, your arms and hands below your shoulders as in the previous exercise.
2) Engage your core and lower one shoulder at a time towards the floor, balancing your weight on your forearms. Your elbows should be directly below your shoulders.
3) Push your arms back up, one at a time, to your starting position.
4) Alternate sides, keeping your body straight.
Aim for 15 to 20 Plank Crawls on each side.
Lower your knees towards the floor every time you dip your shoulders to increase the challenge.
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Leg lifts
Benefits:
Leg Lifts work the lower abs.
Method:
1) Lie on your back, your legs straight out in front of you, an inch or two apart.
2) Engage your core, and with your knees straight, slowly elevate your legs until they are perpendicular to the floor.
3) Lower your legs back to your starting position without allowing your feet to touch the floor.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
NB: Do not allow your lower back to leave the floor, as doing so could result in an injury.
For extra support, place a rolled-up towel beneath your lower back.
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Crunches
Benefits:
Another one for the abs.
Method:
1) Lie on your back; your knees bent at a 45-degree angle, feet flat on the floor in front of you.
2) With your hands behind your head and your core engaged, steadily lift your head, shoulders, and upper body towards your knees.
3) Lower your upper body back to your starting position, then repeat the above movements for the desired number of repetitions.
For a greater range of movement, do the Crunches with your knees bent, and your legs elevated.
NB: To avoid straining your lower back, make sure it remains flat on the floor throughout.
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Side Bends
Benefits:
Great for the abs and obliques.
Method:
1) Stand straight, shoulders down, your feet shoulder-width apart.
2) With your elbows bent and your hands on your hips, slowly bend your right elbow down towards the floor, reaching overhead with your right hand and keeping a slight arch in your right arm.
3) After holding the above position momentarily, return to your starting position.
4) Repeat the above movements, working your left side.
Repeat the above movements for the desired number of reps.
For a tougher workout, and to burn additional calories and give your arms a workout, hold a light weight in each hand instead of placing your hands on your hips.
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Bridges
Benefits:
This one is great for the buttocks and hamstrings.
Method: 
1) Lie on your back with your arms by your sides. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor in front of you.
2) Engage your core, and keeping your back straight, lift your hips so your shoulder to knee area is in a straight line.
3) Hold the position for a few seconds before lowering your hips back to your starting position.
Repeat for the desired number of reps and sets.
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Squats
Benefits:
Squats are an excellent exercise for the buttocks, hips, and thighs.
Method:
1) Stand tall with your arms straight out in front of you, your feet shoulder-width apart.
2) Engage your core and bend your knees until your thighs are parallel with the floor, stopping when your knees reach a 90-degree angle.
3) Maintain the last position for a second or two before returning to your starting position.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
By holding weights in your hands as you squat, your arms will also get a workout.
NB: Don’t go any lower than 90 degrees, as doing so could result in an injury.
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Lunges
Benefits:
Lunges primarily work the hips, buttock, and upper thigh region.
Method:
1) Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by sides, engage your core and step forward with your right foot as you lower your left knee towards the floor until you reach an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
2) Step back up to your starting position.
Repeat, working your left side for the desired number of reps.
Hold weights in your hands and do biceps curls as you lunge to increase the challenge and burn more calories.
NB: To avoid injury, make sure your right knee is over your right ankle, and do not let it go further forward than your toes.
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Frog Bends
Benefits:
Frog Bends target the inner thigh muscles.
Method:
1) Lie on your back, your legs straight up above your hips, feet flexed, heels together, and toes turned out to the sides.
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Bird Dogs
Benefits:
Primarily targeting the back, Bird Dogs also work the glutes and abdominal muscles.
Method:
1) Kneel on all fours with your hands beneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips.
2) Engage your core and slowly extend your right leg back, at the same time reaching your right arm forward in a straight line. Hold this position momentarily, keeping your back straight.
3) Return to your starting position, then repeat the sequence to work the other side.
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Side Planks
Benefits:
Side Planks target the glutes, obliques, hamstrings, and quadriceps as well as the thigh abductors and adductors.
Method:
1) Begin by lying on your right side with your right elbow directly lined up under your shoulder, your forearm resting on the floor.
Engage your core muscles, and with the side of your right foot on the floor and your left foot stacked on top, lift your hips up, supporting your upper body with your forearm.
Hold this position for three seconds before slowly lowering your right hip to the floor.
Repeat the above sequence, working one side at a time for the desired number of reps.
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Superman Back Extensions
Benefits:
This one is excellent for toning and strengthening the entire back.
Method:
1) Lie face down with your head up and your arms reaching forward.
2) Engage your core and gently lift your legs and your upper body, keeping both straight and extended.
3) Hold the last position for 3 seconds before lowering your legs and upper body to the floor.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Final Words on the Best Workout for Weight Loss and Toning
Do the above routine every second day, and within a few short weeks, you will 
feel stronger and begin to notice improved muscle tone.
If you decide to add weights to speed up your results, start with 2 or 3 pounds and build up from there as your strength increases.
Unless you only have a pound or two of body fat to lose, it won’t be possible to get the result you want through muscle toning exercises alone.
You will also need to cut your food portion size and regularly partake in aerobic activity.
If you haven’t done aerobic exercise before and you would rather exercise at home, I recommend purchasing some fitness DVDs. These can help you stay motivated, and they are far less expensive to buy than most cardio equipment, which you can always buy later on.
Because we are all different, my best workout for weight loss and toning at home may not be yours. Use it as a starting point.
If some of the exercises don’t suit you, swap to others that do. The sooner you start, the sooner you will achieve your goal of losing weight and toning up, so don’t put it off any longer.
I hope you found this article on the best workouts for weight loss and toning at home useful.
