Body conditioning is a broad term that refers to a wide range of physical activities and exercises that train the whole body. Body conditioning exercises include full-body workout exercises that activate the entire body and exercises that simultaneously use multiple major muscle groups. 

Performing total body conditioning exercises can help to improve cardiovascular health, muscular endurance and strength, and flexibility. 

From cardio and aerobic exercises to strength-training, examples of body conditioning exercises include:

1. __Bodyweight exercises__: Bodyweight exercises do not require equipment or classes, and you can incorporate them into any workout routine. Popular bodyweight exercises include [lunges](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lunge-twist-guide), push-ups, squat jumps, burpees, [mountain climbers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mountain-climber-exercise), and jumping jacks. Any bodyweight exercise that involves jumping increases your heart rate, which can improve cardiovascular fitness. 
2. __Strength-training exercises__: Strength-training or resistance-training exercises use free weights or weight machines to build muscle and increase strength. Popular strength-training exercises that activate multiple muscle groups and use the whole body include [deadlifts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide), bench presses, and squats.
3. __Pilates__: Pilates workout is a full-body, low-impact exercise regimen that focuses on various muscle groups for toning, core strength, good posture, and sometimes even cardio. [Pilates](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pilates-vs-yoga-guide) can help you improve flexibility, increasing your range of motion.  

If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.

To see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.
Throw on some athleisure, fire up a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com), and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and *GQ* fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.
Body conditioning involves a range of exercises that activate the entire body.

Body conditioning involves a range of exercises that activate the entire body.

Body Conditioning Exercises: 3 Types of Body Conditioning

Body conditioning is a broad term that refers to a wide range of physical activities and exercises that train the whole body. Body conditioning exercises include full-body workout exercises that activate the entire body and exercises that simultaneously use multiple major muscle groups.

What Is Body Conditioning?

Performing total body conditioning exercises can help to improve cardiovascular health, muscular endurance and strength, and flexibility.

What Are the Benefits of Body Conditioning?

From cardio and aerobic exercises to strength-training, examples of body conditioning exercises include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Bodyweight exercises: Bodyweight exercises do not require equipment or classes, and you can incorporate them into any workout routine. Popular bodyweight exercises include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lunge-twist-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lunge-twist-guide","linkCopy":"lunges","category":null}'>lunges</a>, push-ups, squat jumps, burpees, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mountain-climber-exercise' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mountain-climber-exercise","linkCopy":"mountain climbers","category":null}'>mountain climbers</a>, and jumping jacks. Any bodyweight exercise that involves jumping increases your heart rate, which can improve cardiovascular fitness. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Strength-training exercises: Strength-training or resistance-training exercises use free weights or weight machines to build muscle and increase strength. Popular strength-training exercises that activate multiple muscle groups and use the whole body include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide","linkCopy":"deadlifts","category":null}'>deadlifts</a>, bench presses, and squats. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Pilates: Pilates workout is a full-body, low-impact exercise regimen that focuses on various muscle groups for toning, core strength, good posture, and sometimes even cardio. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pilates-vs-yoga-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pilates-vs-yoga-guide","linkCopy":"Pilates","category":null}'>Pilates</a> can help you improve flexibility, increasing your range of motion. </li></ol>

3 Examples of Body Conditioning

If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.To see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.

How to Work Out Safely and Avoid Injury

Throw on some athleisure, fire up a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>, and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and GQ fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.

Want to Dive Deeper Into Your Wellness Journey?

Body conditioning involves a range of exercises that activate the entire body.