Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Dumbbell, Miniband, Backpack and Chair
- Before you choose
- General option for adults. Check each exercise's equipment and avoid improvised supports.
- Intensity
- Comfortable load with about 3 reps in reserve. You need not complete every set if technique worsens or you become tired.
- Warm-up
- Before the session, complete one gentle round of the three listed movements. Allow about 6 minutes for preparation, transitions and rehearsing the first exercise; extend this if needed. Rehearse the first exercise with light resistance before its sets, keeping breathing comfortable.
Duration is approximate. Prepare your equipment and take the indicated rests; needing more rest can make the workout longer.
PREPARE TO MOVEYour warm-up
Start with this gentle preparation before your working sets. The listed duration includes the warm-up.
Knee-raise march
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Stand in a clear area to march on the spot or move slowly forward. Raise one knee comfortably, coordinating the opposite arm. Place the foot down with control and alternate in a steady rhythm.
What you train: Trains arm-leg coordination and balance while raising each knee.
Watch video ↗Miniband lateral steps
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Place a miniband above knees and slightly bend hips and knees. Take three short steps sideways with knees following your feet. Return with three steps without fully closing feet or losing tension.
What you train: Works the outer hips against miniband resistance.
Watch video ↗Seated knee extension
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Sit upright on a firm chair with both feet grounded. Slowly straighten one knee, lifting the foot through a comfortable range. Bend the knee and lower with control; change legs.
What you train: Strengthens the quadriceps and trains knee control.
Watch video ↗
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
10 exercises01Supported ankle mobility
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Place one foot near a wall with the whole sole grounded.
- Move your knee forward in line with your toes, keeping the heel down.
- Return slowly and repeat with the other ankle.
What it trainsTrains ankle mobility with the foot grounded.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With your foot planted near a wall, move your knee forwards without lifting your heel. Return and repeat.
Technique cueStay within a comfortable range; your knee need not touch the wall.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move your foot closer to the wall.
- To progress
- Move your foot slightly further away if you can keep your heel down.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing your ankle or rotating your foot to gain distance.
View exercise guide ↗02Quadruped hip rock-back
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Start on hands and knees on a mat with a steady back.
- Slowly move your hips towards your heels without lifting your hands.
- Gently bring your hips back over your knees.
What it trainsTrains hip mobility with hand and knee support and little weight on the legs.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
From your hands and knees, slowly move your hips backwards and return to the starting position.
Technique cueStop where your hips and knees remain comfortable.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the movement and pad your knees.
- To progress
- Add a brief pause at the back.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing a painful stretch.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Hold a dumbbell at your chest, feet comfortably apart.
- Send your hips back and bend your knees, keeping your balance.
- Push through both feet to stand with control.
What it trainsStrengthens the quadriceps and glutes while your trunk supports the weight.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Keep your feet planted and hold a dumbbell close to your chest. Bend your hips and knees with control, then push through the floor to stand.
Technique cueKeep your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Squat to a chair without added weight.
- To progress
- Add a one-second pause at the bottom before standing.
- Avoid this mistake
- Lifting your heels or dropping without control.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Place one foot forward and one back, with space between them sideways.
- Bend both knees and lower your pelvis vertically, keeping your feet still.
- Push through the floor to rise; then change sides.
What it trainsStrengthens each leg and trains balance in a split stance.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Place one foot in front of the other. Lower straight down by bending both knees, then rise without moving your feet.
Technique cueKeep your hips facing forward throughout.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use one hand for support and reduce the range of movement.
- To progress
- Hold light dumbbells at your sides.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using such a narrow stance that you lose your balance.
View exercise guide ↗05Backpack goblet squat
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Hug a light, closed backpack to your chest with contents secured and feet firm.
- Bend hips and knees to a comfortable depth with heels grounded.
- Push through both feet to stand, keeping the bag close.
What it trainsWorks quadriceps and glutes with a load in front.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Hug a backpack with secured contents to your chest. Bend hips and knees through a comfortable range, then stand.
Technique cueKeep knees following feet and bag contents still.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Allowing the load to move or knees to collapse inward.
View exercise guide ↗06Seated miniband knee extension
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Sit with a light miniband around both ankles.
- Keep one foot grounded and partially straighten the other knee against the band.
- Bend slowly to return the foot and alternate.
What it trainsWorks the quadriceps against gentle elastic resistance.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sit with a miniband around both ankles. Keep one foot grounded and partially straighten the other knee against gentle resistance; return and alternate.
Technique cueKeep the thigh supported and avoid locking the knee.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using excessive tension or lifting your thigh.
View exercise guide ↗07Supported calf raise
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Stand beside a firm support with weight shared between both feet.
- Slowly raise both heels without shifting forward.
- Lower with control until your whole feet are grounded.
What it trainsStrengthens the calves and trains ankle control when rising onto your toes.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With a firm support within reach, lift both heels and lower slowly until your whole foot rests on the floor.
Technique cueKeep your ankles aligned and weight away from the edges of your feet.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the range of movement and use both hands for support.
- To progress
- Do the movement on one leg with support.
- Avoid this mistake
- Bouncing or losing control of your ankle.
View exercise guide ↗08Supported standing hamstring curl
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Stand holding a fixed support, knees close and trunk upright.
- Bend one knee to lift the heel back without moving the thigh forward or arching.
- Lower slowly and change legs.
What it trainsWorks hamstrings with balance support.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Hold a stable support. Bend one knee to bring the heel back without arching; lower slowly and change sides.
Technique cueKeep knees near each other; the lower leg moves.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving your thigh forward to raise your heel.
View exercise guide ↗09Toe and foot-arch control
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Sit with feet grounded and toes relaxed, without loading the outer foot edge.
- Lift only the big toe, keeping the other four down.
- Lower it and lift the other toes; alternate slowly, using a hand if needed.
What it trainsTrains independent toe control and awareness of foot contact.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sit with feet grounded. Try lifting the big toe while the others stay down, then reverse. Use your hand to help while learning.
Technique cueSeparate big-toe movement from the others, even with a small range.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Loading the outer edge of your foot.
View exercise guide ↗10Calm standing breathing
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Stand with feet firm, knees relaxed and shoulders down.
- Breathe in comfortably without shrugging or maximally filling your lungs.
- Exhale slowly and repeat the cycles in your session.
What it trainsPractises calm standing breathing and awareness of chest and rib movement.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With feet firm and knees relaxed, inhale without shrugging and exhale slowly. Complete five comfortable cycles.
Technique cueUse a natural rhythm without forcing air in or out.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Becoming dizzy through breathing too fast.
View exercise guide ↗
FINISH THE SESSIONFinish and prepare your next step.
Walk slowly and breathe comfortably for 2–3 minutes. Allow at least one recovery day before repeating hard strength work for the same muscle group.
Open workout in the app →General routines for adults. If you have a health condition, an injury, are pregnant or have medical instructions, consult your professional before starting and ask for adaptations. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.