7 Day At Home Workout Plan: How To Optimize Your Training Week For Quick Results?

You’ve decided to start working out at home. Maybe you don’t have the time to make it to the gym, or you’re trying to save money on your monthly expenses. Whatever the reason may be, working out at home is a great way to get in shape and improve your overall health. Wide-eyed and eager to start seeing results as quickly as possible, you decide to create a workout plan that gets you working out every day. While this may seem like the best way to get results fast, it’s actually not the most effective approach. In fact, working out too often can lead to burnout and decreased motivation. With that being said, there are ways to optimize your training week so that you will still see results, without overdoing it. In this article, we’ll give you a 7-day at-home workout plan that will help you make the most of your time and see the results you’re after.

Is It Okay To Exercise 7 Days A Week?

The short answer is: it depends. If you’re just starting or getting back into shape after a long break, then working out 7 days a week may be too much. Your body needs time to recover, and if you’re pushing it too hard, you could end up overtraining or even injuring yourself. 

While we don’t recommend working out every day as a head start, there are ways to make it work if you go for low-intensity workouts and focus on active recovery. And we’ll get into that more later.

On the other hand, if you’re already in good shape, and have been working out regularly for a while, then you may be able to handle a 7 days a week workout plan. Not for long, a few weeks at the most, but it can be done. Just make sure that you’re giving your body the time it needs to recover between workouts and don’t push yourself too hard. 

Below are some goals where a 7-day workout plan may be beneficial:

• For athletes looking to improve their performance. Low-intensity to medium-intensity workouts will help them maintain their endurance without overtraining.
• For people who have a lot of weight to lose. Working out more often can help increase the number of calories you burn each day, which will help you lose weight faster.
• For people who are trying to gain a lot of muscle quickly. A higher volume of training (working out more often) can help you build muscle mass faster, but you shouldn’t stay on the 7-day routine for an extended period. 
• For people who want an endorphin boost every day. A moderate 7-day exercise routine can help improve your mood and mental state (2).
• For people in maintenance mode. Once you’ve reached your fitness goals, a 7-day workout plan can help you maintain your results.

Below are some goals where a 7-day workout plan is NOT recommended:

• For beginners. Starting out with a 7-day workout plan is too much. Go for 3 to 4 days per week and gradually increase the frequency as you get more comfortable with working out.
• For people who want to get progressively stronger. Increasing strength requires you to let your body recover between workouts. Lifting weights every day will lead to burnout and, ultimately, decreased strength gains.
• For people who want sustainable hypertrophy (muscle-building) plans. Muscles grow when you’re at rest, not when you’re working out. Working out every day will lead to overtraining and decreased muscle growth.

The type of exercise you do is also important to consider when deciding whether or not to work out every day. If you’re doing high-intensity workouts, like HIIT or CrossFit, it’s best to give yourself at least a day of rest in between sessions. This will help your body recover and prevent you from overtraining (1). 

On the other hand, if you’re doing mostly low-intensity workouts, like walking or yoga, then working out every day may be fine. Just listen to your body and make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard.

Read More: No Equipment Needed: These Are The 10 Best Cardio Workouts To Do At Home

When Can Beginners Work Out 7 Days A Week?

As a beginner, if you must work out 7 days a week, 4 days should be dedicated to low-intensity workouts (like walking, yoga, or light cardio) and 3 days should be for higher-intensity workouts (like HIIT, sprints, or lifting weights). 

You must also consider the following factors:

• If your schedule allows 30 to 60 minutes per day to train
• If you’re getting enough sleep at night
• If you’re eating a balanced diet

If you can answer yes to all of the above, then working out 7 days a week is fine. Just make sure that your workouts are not overly strenuous. 

With that being said, for beginners, we recommend working out 3 to 4 times per week. This will give your body time to adjust to the new activity and prevent you from overtraining. As you get more comfortable with working out, you can gradually increase the frequency to 5 to 6 times per week. 

Once you’re used to working out 5 to 6 times per week, you can start adding in the 7th day if you want. Just make sure that you’re not pushing yourself too hard and that you’re giving your body the time it needs to recover between workouts.

What Is The Best 7-Day Workout For Beginners?

If you’re looking to get the most out of your 7-day workout plan at home, we recommend a mix of both high-intensity and low-intensity workouts. 

You’ll need some equipment; a mat, resistance bands of different levels, yoga blocks, and a light set of dumbbells. Wear some workout clothes you feel comfortable in, and have proper footwear for cardio workouts. 

Day 1: 30-Minute Walk

Walking is an underrated form of cardio. Not only does it help improve your cardiovascular health, but helps boost your mood and energy levels as well. 

Plus, walking is a low-impact form of exercise, which means it’s easy on your joints (7). This makes it a great choice for beginners who are just getting started with their fitness journey.

To get the most out of your walk, aim to walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes. You should be able to talk, but you shouldn’t be able to sing. If you need some motivation to keep going, try listening to an audiobook or podcast. 

While walking, be sure to focus on good form. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your core engaged. Swing your arms as you walk, and be sure to land on your heel before rolling through to your toes.

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Day 2: Pilates For Beginners

Pilates is a great workout for beginners because it’s low-impact and can be done at home with little to no equipment. Some benefits of Pilates include improved flexibility, better posture, and a stronger core (4). 

Beginners can start with a basic Pilates routine that focuses on the core muscles. 

Below are some of the best Pilates exercises for beginners: 

The Hundred

1. Lie on your back with your legs in the air and your knees bent at 90 degrees.
2. Place your hands on the mat beside you with your palms down.
3. Engage your core muscles and lift your head and shoulders off the mat.
4. Pump your arms up and down for 100 counts. 

The Single-Leg Circle

1. Lie on your back with both legs in the air and your knees bent at 90 degrees.
2. Place your right hand on the mat beside you and extend your left leg straight up toward the ceiling.
3. Use your abs to slowly lower your left leg down toward the floor, then circle it around to the right before bringing it back up to the starting position.
4. Repeat 10 times, then switch sides and repeat with your right leg. 

The Criss Cross

1. Lie on your back with both legs in the air and your knees bent at 90 degrees.
2. Place your right hand behind your head and reach your left arm across your body to touch your right knee.
3. Using your abs, twist your torso to the right and bring your right knee toward your left shoulder while keeping your head and shoulders off the mat.
4. Return to the starting position, then repeat on the other side. 

Day 3: Full Body Strength Training

Strength training is important for both men and women. Not only does it help build muscle, but it can also help improve bone density, increase metabolism, and reduce body fat (5). 

For this workout, you’ll need a set of dumbbells (5 to 10 pounds is a good starting point if you’re new to strength training) and a mat. If you don’t have dumbbells, you can use soup cans or water bottles as makeshift weights. 

The following are some basic full-body strength-training exercises that are perfect for beginners:

Dumbbell Chest Press

1. Lie on your back on a mat with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. 
2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and position them beside your chest with your palms facing forward.
3. Press the dumbbells up toward the ceiling, then slowly lower them back down to the starting position. 
4. Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Dumbbell Squat

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs. 
2. Engage your core muscles and squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. 
3. Be sure to keep your knees behind your toes as you lower down. 
4. Push through your heels to return to the starting position. 
5. Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Read More: Which Is Better: Morning Or Evening Workouts?

Dumbbell Row

1. Position a dumbbell on the floor beside you and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. 
2. Bend at your hips and knees and lower your torso until it’s parallel to the floor. 
3. Grasp the dumbbell with your right hand and row it up to the side of your chest. 
4. Lower it back down to the starting position, then repeat with your left arm. 
5. Repeat 10 to 12 times on each side. 

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

1. Sit on a mat with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. 
2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level with your palms facing forward. 
3. Press the dumbbells up toward the ceiling, then lower them back down to the starting position. 
4. Repeat 10 to 12 times. 

Bent-Over Dumbbell Triceps Extension

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand. 
2. Bend at your hips and lower your torso until it’s nearly parallel to the floor. 
3. Allow your arms to hang straight down from your shoulders, then extend your elbows to curl the dumbbells up toward your shoulders. 
4. Lower them back down to the starting position and repeat. 
5. Repeat 10 to 12 times. 

Dumbbell Split Squat

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs. 
2. Step forward with your left leg and lower your body until both knees are bent at about 90 degrees. 
3. Be sure to keep your front knee behind your toe as you lower down.  
4. Press through your heel to return to the starting position, then repeat with your right leg. 
5. Repeat 10 to 12 times on each side.

Day 4: Cardio Dance Workout

After a day of strength training, you’ll want to do some cardio to help boost your heart rate and burn calories (6). Dancing is a great way to get your cardio in while also having some fun. 

For this workout, all you need is some space to move around and some upbeat music. You can find some great cardio dance workouts on YouTube or make up your own routine. Just be sure to keep your heart rate up and your form on point.  

Day 5: HIIT Workout

HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a type of workout that alternates between short bursts of intense activity and periods of rest or low-intensity activity. HIIT has been shown to be very effective in burning fat and increasing cardio endurance (3). 

For this workout, you’ll need a timer and some space to move. You can do this exercise either outdoors or indoors. 

To start, warm up with some light cardio for 5 minutes. Then, start your timer and do as many rounds of the following circuit as you can in 20 minutes: 

• 30 seconds of jump squats
• 30 seconds of mountain climbers
• 30 seconds of burpees
• 30 seconds of rest

Day 6: Full Body Resistance Band Workout

Resistance bands are a great way to get a full-body workout without any equipment. They’re also very versatile and can be used for a variety of exercises. For this workout, you’ll need a resistance band and some space to move. You can do this exercise either outdoors or indoors. 

Start with a 5-minute warm-up of light cardio. Then, do the following circuit 2 to 3 times: 

• 10 squats
• 10 lunges (each leg)
• 10 pushups
• 10 rows (each arm)
• 10 shoulder presses (each arm)

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Day 7: Full Body Yoga Stretch

Stretching is an important part of any workout routine. It helps improve flexibility and can prevent injuries. Yoga is a great way to stretch your whole body and relax your mind. 

For this workout, you’ll need a yoga mat and some space to move. Below are some basic yoga stretches that will help stretch your whole body. You can hold each stretch for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Child’s Pose

1. Start on your hands and knees with your palms flat on the mat and your shoulders over your wrists. 
2. Sit back on your heels, then walk your hands forward until your forehead touches the mat.
3. Extend your arms out in front of you. 
4. Relax your whole body and breathe deeply. 

Downward Dog

1. Start on your hands and knees with your palms flat on the mat and your shoulders over your wrists. 
2. Tuck your toes under and lift your hips up and back until your thighs are parallel to the mat and your body forms an inverted “V” shape. 
3. Keep your core engaged and your breath steady. 

Side Plank

1. Lie on your side with your legs straight. 
2. Prop yourself up on your forearm and place your elbow directly under your shoulder.
3. Lift your hips off the floor and engage your core. 
4. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then switch sides. 

Bridge Pose

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. 
2. Place your arms at your sides with your palms down. 
3. Lift your hips off the floor until your thighs and torso are in line with each other. 
4. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then lower your hips back to the floor. 

Savasana

1. Lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms at your sides with your palms up. 
2. Close your eyes and focus on deep breathing.  
3. Relax your whole body and clear your mind. 
4. Stay in this pose for 5 minutes or longer. 

The Bottom Line

Working out 7 days a week isn’t advisable for most beginners. It’s important to give your body time to recover between workouts. However, if you have the time and energy, there are a variety of workouts you can do at home that will give you quick results. Just be sure to listen to your body and take breaks when you need to.