175 Personal Training Workout Ideas (Bonus: Fun + Creative)
Posted by Tyler Spraul, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) on July 14, 2023 — Updated on September 4, 2023
If you are a personal trainer looking for personal training workout ideas to motivate your clients, improve client retention, and just have some fun, then check out our big list of personal trainer workout ideas. We’ve got fun, creative, full body, weight loss, indoor, outdoor, and more ideas for personal trainer workouts. From “Zombie Apocalypse Run,” which mimics outrunning zombies, to “Pirate Plunder Planks” that turn a simple plank into a treasure hunt, these workouts add a whimsical flair to traditional exercises.
In an effort to make fitness more engaging and entertaining, trainers can incorporate a variety of fun and creative workout ideas into their programs. Other inventive options include “Star Wars Saber Duels” for a cardio workout with foam swords, “Musical Weights” that involves a game of musical chairs with dumbbells, and “Lunar Landing Leaps” to make box jumps more adventurous. These workouts are not just fun but also effective in keeping clients engaged and motivated, making each gym session a unique experience. Exercise.com can be a valuable tool in implementing these creative workout routines, providing an easy way to schedule, manage, and track performance.
Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.
“Developing an easy intake system with my apps and ways to scale the delivery of workouts has been huge. Working with 20-30 individuals who each have specific goals and restrictions can be challenging, but your platform makes it easy to organize everyone’s programs and put a plan together that will get them the best results possible. The simple, effective tools help expand and simplify my coaching process.”
Why save the best for last? Exercise doesn’t have to be routine and mundane; it can be a fun and engaging experience for both you and your clients. Here are 25 extra creative and zany personal training workout ideas that can add a unique twist to your sessions. Exercise.com can help you integrate these entertaining routines into your training programs, complete with video demonstrations and performance tracking.
Zombie Apocalypse Run: Make your client pretend they’re outrunning zombies. Add in random sprint intervals to mimic escaping from the undead.
Pirate Plunder Planks: Turn the plank into a treasure hunt by placing small objects around the client that they have to reach out and collect while maintaining the plank position.
Hula Hoopla: Integrate hula hoops into strength training. Perform squats and lunges while hula hooping to add an extra layer of difficulty.
Superhero Bootcamp: Name each exercise after a superhero power move, like “Spider-Man Crawls” or “Thor’s Hammer Slams”, to make the workout more thematic and engaging.
The Floor is Lava: Set up a circuit where the client has to move from one station to another without touching the floor.
Star Wars Saber Duels: Use foam swords and incorporate playful dueling into a cardio workout.
Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course: Create an obstacle course that mimics challenges from the show, like rope climbs, wall runs, and monkey bars.
Dance Dance Revolution: Incorporate dance moves between sets to keep the heart rate up and bring some fun into the session.
Musical Weights: Play musical chairs but with dumbbells. When the music stops, clients have to perform reps with whichever weight they grab.
Emoji Workouts: Use emoji cards to dictate the next exercise. For example, a “fire” emoji could mean burpees, while a “wave” emoji could mean jumping jacks.
Hot Potato Medicine Ball: Pass a medicine ball back and forth while doing squats. Whoever is holding the ball when the music stops has to do an extra set.
Wizard Wand Workouts: Use a light rod or wand to perform magical “spells” which are actually various types of swings and stabs to work out different muscle groups.
High-Five Planks: Hold a plank position facing your partner and give alternating high-fives.
Disco Fever: Use disco music and moves to turn the workout into a ’70s dance party.
Whack-a-Mole: Set up small targets around the client who has to “whack” them with a soft mallet while holding a squat position.
Drum Roll, Please: Use drumsticks to perform air drumming while doing lunges or squats to engage the upper body.
Emoji Emotions: Display different emojis and ask the client to mimic the expression while performing an exercise to add a fun twist.
Tarzan Vines: Use TRX bands like vines, swinging from one to another in a circuit.
Vogue Voguing: Incorporate voguing dance moves into a cardio workout.
Cowboy Lassos: Use a rope to mimic lassoing cattle while doing jump squats.
Sumo Stomp: Perform high knees with the flair and dramatic arm movements of a sumo wrestler.
Air Guitar Cardio: Mimic playing an air guitar during cardio intervals.
Treasure Map Quest: Lay out a “treasure map” and have clients perform different exercises at each “X marks the spot.”
Lunar Landing Leaps: Perform box jumps or long jumps while pretending to be an astronaut landing on the moon.
Roll the Dice: Use a pair of large dice to determine the number of reps and sets for each exercise.
Each of these zany and creative workouts not only adds fun to the training session but also engages your clients in a unique way. Exercise.com can help you incorporate these ideas into your training programs seamlessly.
I sold a workout program and matched my yearly salary of in-person training within two weeks of selling to my community!
Paul Fabritz
Founder and BS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, ACE, FMS, PJF Performance
Full Body Personal Training Workout Ideas
Full-body workouts aim to engage multiple muscle groups in one session, offering a balanced approach to fitness. These workouts are particularly effective for those who are looking for overall strength and conditioning. With Exercise.com, you can easily customize and track these full-body routines for your clients.
Squat to Overhead Press
Deadlifts
Burpees
Pull-Ups
Push-Ups
Plank to Push-Up
Dumbbell Rows
Box Jumps
Kettlebell Swings
Medicine Ball Slams
Russian Twists
Mountain Climbers
Lunges
Bench Press
Bicycle Crunches
Tricep Dips
Renegade Rows
Thrusters
Skater Jumps
Lateral Raises
Sit-ups
Jumping Jacks
Wall Sit
Tuck Jumps
Calf Raises
Fun Personal Training Workout Ideas
Engaging and fun workouts can significantly improve client retention and satisfaction. Exercise.com allows you to incorporate interactive elements into your training plans to make workouts more enjoyable.
Dance Cardio
Partner Medicine Ball Toss
Battle Ropes
Animal Flow
Agility Ladder Drills
Hula Hooping
Trampoline Jumps
Sledgehammer Swings
Obstacle Course
Rowing Machine Challenges
Scavenger Hunt
Zumba
Kickboxing
Drumming Fitness
Jump Rope Tricks
Synchronized Squats
Yoga Flow
Mini Trampoline Exercises
Swimming Races
Paddleboarding
Gymnastics Moves
Dodgeball
Slacklining
Relay Races
Limbo Fitness Challenge
Personal Training Workout Ideas for Weight Loss
Weight loss-centric workouts often focus on high-intensity intervals and calorie-burning exercises. Exercise.com can help you design weight loss programs that can be easily accessed by clients, complete with instructional videos and tracking features.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Circuit Training
Tabata Drills
Running Intervals
Rowing Sprints
Stair Climbing
Jump Squats
Speed Skaters
Fast-Paced Yoga
Spinning
Plyometric Drills
Boxing
Elliptical Intervals
Power Walking
Sled Pushes
Treadmill Sprints
Swimming Laps
Weighted Hiking
CrossFit WODs
Tire Flips
Speed Bag Workouts
Aerobic Stepper
Shadow Boxing
Kettlebell Circuits
Barbell Complexes
Personal Training Workout Ideas for Beginners
Beginner-focused workouts should aim to build fundamental strength and introduce clients to various forms of exercise. Exercise.com is an excellent resource for beginners as it allows trainers to provide easy-to-follow workout plans with video demonstrations.
Bodyweight Squats
Modified Push-Ups
Seated Leg Raises
Walking Lunges
Planks
Seated Row
Step-Ups
Wall Push-Ups
Bicycle Kicks
Glute Bridges
Dumbbell Curls
Seated Press
Lat Pulldowns
Leg Press
Arm Circles
Modified Burpees
Stability Ball Rollouts
Single-Leg Stands
Farmer’s Walk
Lying Leg Raises
Resistance Band Pull-Aparts
Dumbbell Shrugs
Seated Hamstring Curls
Incline Walk
Elliptical Trainer
Creative Personal Training Workout Ideas
Creativity in workout design keeps clients engaged and can help break plateaus. Exercise.com makes it easy to design and share unique workouts, ensuring that your clients stay motivated and achieve their goals.
Barbell Rollouts
Landmine Press
Sledgehammer Tire Hits
TRX Y-Fly
Battle Rope Waves
Crab Walks
Bear Crawls
Kettlebell Windmills
Pistol Squats
Parallette Pass-Through
Sandbag Lifts
Turkish Get-Ups
Suspended Push-Ups
Bosu Ball Squats
Ladder Drills
Resistance Band Sprints
Medicine Ball Wall Sits
Inverted Rows
Swiss Ball Jackknives
Reverse Burpees
Plate Pinches
Cable Core Rotations
Handstand Walks
Acro-Yoga Poses
Prowler Pushes
Outdoor Personal Training Workout Ideas
Outdoor workouts offer a change of scenery and the benefits of fresh air. With Exercise.com, you can easily schedule and manage outdoor sessions, track performance, and even provide location-based workouts to your clients.
Park Bench Push-Ups
Hill Sprints
Outdoor Yoga
Sand Dune Running
Kayaking
Hiking
Rock Climbing
Cycling Routes
Beach Volleyball
Outdoor Swimming
Trail Running
Soccer Drills
Slacklining
Canoeing
Frisbee
Basketball Shooting Drills
Tennis Rallies
Lake Rowing
Geocaching
Skateboarding
Outdoor Bootcamp
Pull-Ups on Tree Branches
Bodyweight Exercises on Playground Equipment
Outdoor Zumba
Grass Sprints
Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create diverse and engaging personal training sessions for your clients. Exercise.com can assist in managing and delivering these workouts effectively.
Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.
Julie Ledbetter
Owner, Ledbetter Fitness
How do I make a personal trainer workout plan?
Creating a personal trainer workout plan starts with understanding your client’s fitness level, goals, and limitations. After an initial assessment, you can structure a plan that incorporates various types of exercises tailored to the client’s needs. Exercise.com can assist you in this process by providing a platform where you can design workouts, track client progress, and make real-time adjustments. You can even add your own custom-branded app to give clients easy access to their workout plans.
How do I come up with new personal trainer workout ideas?
Staying updated with the latest fitness trends, attending workshops, and studying the anatomy can help you come up with fresh workout ideas. You can also consider mixing up workout styles, incorporating new equipment, and even consulting with other fitness professionals for inspiration.
How can I make my personal training sessions fun for my clients (but still helpful)?
Making personal training sessions fun yet effective involves a balance of challenge and engagement. Use a variety of exercises to keep sessions interesting, incorporate games or challenges, and provide constant motivation and positive reinforcement.
What should a typical PT session look like?
A typical PT session may start with a warm-up, followed by the main workout segment and then a cool-down. The main segment might include a mix of strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises tailored to the client’s goals. Each session should also include time for feedback and minor adjustments to the plan.
What makes a good PT session from the client’s perspective?
From a client’s perspective, a good PT session is one that is personalized, challenging yet achievable, and leaves them feeling accomplished. Clear communication, timely feedback, and a good rapport also contribute to a satisfying training experience.
Where do most personal trainers go wrong when designing client workouts?
Common mistakes include making the workouts too generic, not adjusting the plan according to client feedback, or focusing too much on intensity at the expense of form and safety.
How can Exercise.com help me create and deliver workouts for my clients?
Exercise.com is an all-in-one software solution designed to streamline the workout creation and delivery process for personal trainers. The platform allows you to create custom workouts that can be easily accessed by your clients through a custom-branded app. You can also monitor your clients’ progress in real-time, allowing for timely adjustments to their workout plans. In addition to these features, the ability to accept payments, manage schedules, and host workout videos adds to the platform’s utility. Book a demo to find out how Exercise.com can help elevate your personal training business.
Excellent choice for my business! I tried nearly all the “major” platforms and found Exercise.com to be the most intuitive.
is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®). He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life.
