How To Make A Workout Plan For Busy Moms In 4 Easy Steps

Learn how to make a workout plan to lose weight, build muscles, tone up, and generally get fit in just five simple steps! Finding time for exercise can be hard as a busy mom and when you have the time you’re not sure what to do with it! Learn the best way to create a workout routine you’ll both enjoy and stay consistent too.

Most moms struggle to find time to exercise! But even more moms struggle knowing which exercises they should be doing and how to make workout routine!

As with so many styles of fitness to choose from, how do you know how to find the best fit for your lifestyle? However, instead of jumping into the first workout routine, you stumble upon, learn how to make a workout plan. And then reap the benefits of knowing it’s the best one for you.

 

How To Create A Workout Plan

When you’re just beginning to get started with creating a workout routine, there are four areas you need to focus on:

1. Equipment 
2. Time/Frequency
3. Style/Goals
4. Exercises

Then, once you organize these areas you’re on your way towards making a workout routine.

Moreover, there really are so many ways to design a new workout plan. Which means that sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the best system for YOU. And one of the key components to long-term results is enjoying your workouts. Learn more about the secret to being fit.

Therefore, work hard to make a workout routine that you somewhat look forward to. I promise, there’s no “one style fits all” approach.

There are, however, a few aspects to consider when developing a new workout plan.

 

Equipment For Home Workouts

When learning how to create a workout plan, equipment is one of the biggest things to consider. In summary, what do you have access to?

For most moms, hitting the gym multiple times per week isn’t practical. Which is why I suggest working out at home.

Indeed if you’re at home, will you be doing only no-equipment workouts? Or will you make use of bands? Dumbbells?

Learn more about the best pieces of workout equipment and why I think that resistance bands are the biggest bang for your buck.

Knowing what you’ll be working with is what will help determine your exercise selection when figuring out how to create a workout routine.

 

Frequency Of Workouts

The next thing to consider is how often you’ll be working out. Three times per week is what I recommend most people start with because it’s practical.

Three times each week is also easier to commit to. Likewise, it’s much better on your mental state to be able to do more versus feeling bad about not hitting your goal. Make it practical.

And if you do have extra time in the week, that’s a great time to use active recovery, mobility drills, or some yoga.

Once you know how often you’re going to be working out each week you have a better idea of how many exercises you can use each session.

As for the duration of each training session, keep it quick (30 minutes max). Not because working out more isn’t great but because of busy mom life. Be practical.

Ideally, you want to hit all muscle groups a couple of times per week. And for this reason, full-body workout routines are the best way to go.

 

Style Of A Workout Plan

Always keep in mind that there’s no one perfect way to work out! Your workout routine should be based around what you enjoy as well as what you’re capable of.

Some common workout styles are:

• HIIT training
• Tabatas
• Circuit training
• strength training (slow and controlled).

You also need to consider your personal goals when learning to create a workout plan. Strength training is a great way to build muscle while losing weight. But HIIT training will give you a bigger burn at the moment.

Using a blend of systems is fine too. Gear your workout routine to your goals. For example: learn how to use bodyweight training for your goals).

For beginners, starting with bodyweight exercises in groupings of three is a great start.

Or if you’re short on time, fast-paced circuits can be done in 10-20 minutes. Here’s an awesome 10 minute circuit workout you can do with a couple of dumbbells!.

Choosing Exercises For Your Workout Plan

Based on your equipment, knowledge, injuries, and goals you also need to choose exercises! This can be the most fun as well as the most challenging part.

There are five exercises all moms should be strong in which lead to other exercises. Also, I believe that all moms should place their focus on posterior chain exercises. These exercises are what will help reduce back pain, get strong, and play with your kids easier.

When you’re learning how to create a workout plan, my advice is to start each workout with two of the main pillars (a squat, a hinge, a pull, and a glute dominant or unilateral exercise). From there you can add in isolation work, core work, and anything else.

 

Some examples of the main exercises are:

Squats: banded squats, goblet squats, squats to a bench, single-leg squats, paused squats

Hinge: Romanian deadlift, band deadlifts, pull through single leg hinge

Pull: inverted row, band row, face pull, one-arm row

Glutes/ Unilateral: banded bridges, single-leg hip thrust, lunges, Bulgarian split squats

 

After you choose your main exercise of the day, work in other beneficial exercises to your goals. Here is a great list of no-equipment exercises. However, there are a ton of options out there.

Keep in mind that your secondary choices should ideally target the back of the body (glute bridges) more often than the front of the body (push-ups).

 

Why Moms Need To Focus On The Back Of the Body

 Because as a mom you’re constantly rounded over or holding something in front of you. And thus need strength in the back of your body to help keep you balanced and strong. 

In general, though, start with doing two back of body exercises to every front of body exercise. Some of my favorite exercises I use frequently in my workouts are:

• Hamstring curls
• Face pulls
• Tricep extensions
• Narrow grip push ups
• Crossack squats
• Deadbugs
• Superman
• Sumo walks
• Plank row
• Inverted press
• Stability ball ab pass
• Band pull aparts
• Donkey kicks
• reverse hyperextensions
• Plank abductions

 

Example Workout Plan

So, taking what we just spoke about, if you were to create a workout plan from the information above it could look like this.

Here’s a 20-minute circuit, no equipment required and it’s effective for multiple goals.

 

A1. Squat with pause x10 reps

A2. Single-leg glute bridge x12/repsa

A3. Inverted Pike x5 reps

A4. Hamstring Curls x10

A5. Deadbug x10

 

Need some help? I have lots of at-home workouts for busy moms. If creating a workout routine is a bit overwhelming, grab a pre-done one, and tweak it to your abilities. Or, follow me on YouTube and join into the workouts I post on Thursdays where you can follow along and get some form tips!

 

Last Tips For Learning How To Create A Workout Plan

Remember, there’s no perfect system or plan! The best workout routine is the one you’ll stick to. And, us fitness crazies are actually pretty nice. So, never hesitate to reach out and ask questions.

Also, don’t forget that your body does need to recover. Going from sedentary to six workouts each week is a bit extreme. Rest, mobility work, and active recovery are important in the overall approach. 

Don’t forget to pin these tips on How TO Create A Workout Plan

Creating a workout routine can be a bit daunting. Take the time to figure out a plan and you’ll be better off and well on your way towards achieving your goals. And if you need help- ask! You don’t necessarily need a customized training program but templates more geared towards your specific goals are a great place to start!