Fifteen moves, zero equipment, most of them fit in a space the size of a towel. Pick a few, build a circuit and hit play. The NHS target is 60 active minutes a day plus strength work three days a week — this is how you chip away at it when you can't get outside.
Before you start
•Clear the space: no coffee tables, cables or pets under your feet.
•Shoes on or bare feet — socks on wooden floors are how people slide into walls.
•Water bottle within reach. Sip between moves.
•Sharp pain, dizziness or can't-speak breathlessness = stop and tell a grown-up.
•Never train through a bad ankle, wrist or headache. Rest days build you too.
🚶
High-knee march
Warm up · 45s · Tiny space
1Stand tall, arms bent.
2March on the spot, knee to hip height.
3Swap arms with each knee.
Form check: Stay light on your feet — land toe first, not with a slam.
Level up: Speed it up for the last 15 seconds.
🌀
Arm circles
Warm up · 30s · Tiny space
1Arms straight out to the sides.
2Small circles forward for 15 seconds.
3Reverse for 15.
Form check: Shoulders down, not up by your ears.
Level up: Make the circles bigger, not faster.
🐈
Cat–cow rolls
Warm up · 40s · Room to move
1Hands and knees.
2Arch your back up like a cat.
3Then dip it slowly and look ahead.
Form check: Move with your breath — slow beats big.
Level up: Add a gentle side-to-side sway.
⭐
Star jumps
Heart raisers · 40s · Room to move
1Feet together, arms down.
2Jump feet wide and arms overhead.
3Jump back in.
Form check: Soft knees on every landing. Downstairs neighbours? Do the step-out version.
Level up: Half-speed but bigger for 10 reps, then fast for 10.
🥊
Shadow boxing
Heart raisers · 45s · Tiny space
1Hands up by your chin.
2Punch straight out, one at a time.
3Keep your feet bouncing.
Form check: Don't lock your elbow at the end of the punch.
Level up: Add two ducks every ten punches.
🪜
Stair or step-ups
Heart raisers · 60s · Tiny space
1Use the bottom stair or a low sturdy step.
2Step up, up, down, down.
3Swap the leading leg halfway.
Form check: Whole foot on the step. Hold the rail if you want to.
Level up: Same speed, add 20 seconds.
🪑
Chair squats
Strength · 45s · Tiny space
1Stand in front of a chair, feet hip-width.
2Sit back slowly until you touch it.
3Stand back up.
Form check: Knees track over your toes, chest up.
Level up: Pause for two seconds at the bottom.
🧱
Wall or knee push-ups
Strength · 40s · Tiny space
1Hands on a wall (easier) or floor with knees down.
2Lower with control.
3Push away.
Form check: Body in one straight line — no sagging hips.
Level up: Move your feet further from the wall.
📏
Forearm plank
Strength · 25s · Room to move
1Forearms down, elbows under shoulders.
2Knees down or feet back.
3Squeeze your tummy and hold.
Form check: Stop when your hips drop — quality over clock.
Level up: Add five seconds each week, not each day.
🌉
Glute bridges
Strength · 40s · Room to move
1Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat.
2Push through your heels and lift your hips.
3Lower slowly.
Form check: Ribs down — lift with your hips, not your back.
Level up: Hold the top for three seconds.
🦩
Stork holds
Balance & agility · 40s · Tiny space
1Stand on one foot.
2Other foot resting on your calf (never the knee).
3Swap at 20 seconds.
Form check: Fix your eyes on one spot — balance follows your eyes.
Level up: Close one eye. Then try both.
🦘
Line hops
Balance & agility · 30s · Tiny space
1Put a towel or tape line on the floor.
2Hop side to side over it.
3Then front to back.
Form check: Small, quick, quiet hops.
Level up: One foot only, ten hops each side.
🦀
Crab walk
Balance & agility · 35s · Room to move
1Sit, hands behind you, lift your hips.
2Walk forwards four steps.
3Walk back four steps.
Form check: Keep your hips up the whole way.
Level up: Add a sideways lap.
🌿
Reach and fold
Cool down · 40s · Tiny space
1Reach both arms up high.
2Fold slowly towards your toes.
3Roll back up one bone at a time.
Form check: Bend your knees a little — never bounce a stretch.
Level up: Hold the fold for a slow count of ten.
🫁
Box breathing
Cool down · 60s · Tiny space
1Breathe in for 4.
2Hold for 4.
3Out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat.
Form check: Breathe into your belly, not your shoulders.
Level up: Try five full rounds with your eyes shut.