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Beginner 12-Min Push-Up Upper Body Workout

12 min
 · 
8 exercises

Power through push-ups! 12-min beginner upper body circuit: max push-ups for 60 secs, active star-jump recovery for 60 secs, rest 60 secs, then repeat. Build chest, arm and shoulder strength at home with zero equipment — great bodyweight muscle and tone workout!

Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
Knee Push-ups
1 sets
60 secs
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
Jumping Jacks
1 sets
60 secs
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
1:00 rest
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
Knee Push-ups
1 sets
60 secs
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
Jumping Jacks
1 sets
60 secs
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
1:00 rest
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
Knee Push-ups
1 sets
60 secs
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
Jumping Jacks
1 sets
60 secs
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
1:00 rest
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
Knee Push-ups
1 sets
60 secs
The last one! How many did you make in total? Write it down!
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
Jumping Jacks
1 sets
60 secs
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.

About this workout

Beginner 12-Min Push-Up Upper Body Workout is a free 12 min workout plan with 8 illustrated exercises for your chest and legs. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.

Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.

Workout details

  • Duration: 12 min
  • Exercises: 8
  • Training focus: Chest and legs
  • Equipment: NO EQUIPMENT
  • Level: Beginner
  • Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF

For more ready-made training plans, try WorkoutLabs Fit. You can follow visual workouts, build your own routines, manage your training calendar and track your progress. Sign up today to claim your free week.

Questions about this workout

What equipment do I need for this workout?

No equipment is needed – every exercise in this workout uses your own bodyweight, so you can do it at home or anywhere.

How long does the Beginner 12-Min Push-Up Upper Body Workout take?

The full workout takes about 12 minutes, covering 8 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.

Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?

Yes – this is a beginner-friendly workout. Every exercise includes an illustration and step-by-step instructions, so you can learn proper form as you go. Start with lighter weights and focus on technique.

What muscles does this workout target?

This routine primarily works your chest, glutes & hip flexors, quadriceps. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.

How often should I do this workout?

For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.

Can I download or save this workout?

Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.

Beginner 12-Min Push-Up Upper Body Workout
12 min
 · 
8 exercises
Power through push-ups! 12-min beginner upper body circuit: max push-ups for 60 secs, active star-jump recovery for 60 secs, rest 60 secs, then repeat. Build chest, arm and shoulder strength at home with zero equipment — great bodyweight muscle and tone workout!
Auto-advance Start exercises automatically
after a 5-second delay
Start workout Cancel workout
Knee Push-ups
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
  2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
  3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
  2. Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
  3. As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
  4. As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
  5. Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.

This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.

Rest
0:00
next up
Knee Push-ups
Next
Knee Push-ups
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
  2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
  3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
  2. Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
  3. As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
  4. As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
  5. Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.

This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.

Rest
0:00
next up
Knee Push-ups
Next
Knee Push-ups
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Perform as many push ups as you can in 60 seconds. Rest whenever you need to but log your total!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
  2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
  3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
  2. Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
  3. As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
  4. As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
  5. Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.

This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.

Rest
0:00
next up
Knee Push-ups
Next
Knee Push-ups
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
The last one! How many did you make in total? Write it down!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
  2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
  3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping Jacks exercise illustration
1 sets
60 secs
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Light star jumping, non stop, for 60 seconds.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
  2. Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
  3. As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
  4. As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
  5. Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.

This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.

Workout done!
Exercises done
of 8
Total time
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