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7-Day Bodyweight Challenge — Day 1

This 25-minute intermediate workout focuses on bodyweight glute bridge. Led by Beth Hannam, it targets glutes, quads, hamstrings with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

25 exercises in Day 1

Warm-up4 exercises
2m 27s
0:30
Warm-up: Leg Swings

Keep it straight, and try and hit those hands as you do a nice big kick.

hipship flexorshamstrings
low
1:01
Warm-up: Alternating Toe Touches

Should feel a really beautiful stretch down the back of those legs.

hamstringslower backarms
low
1:31
Warm-up: World's Greatest Stretch (Spider-man Lunge)

Hands stacked under your shoulders, core nice and tight.

hipscoreshouldership flexors
medium
2:11
Warm-up: Squat to Stand (Hips to Sky)

Pop those elbows inside those knees, drive those knees out wide.

hipshamstringsquads
low
Strength17 exercises
11m 20s
4:00
Glute Bridge

Pushing through the floor, squeezing the glutes.

gluteshamstringscore
medium
5:00
Lateral Lunge

Think about sitting back down into your hips.

quadsglutesinner thighs
medium
6:00
Glute Bridge with 2-Second Pause

Hold at the top for one, two.

gluteshamstrings
medium
7:00
Lateral Lunge with 2-Second Pause

Hold for one, two, back up.

quadsglutesinner thighs
medium
8:00
Glute Bridge Pulses and Hold

We are not letting those hips touch the floor.

glutes
high
9:00
Low Lateral Lunge (Stay Low)

We are not coming all the way back up to standing this time.

quadsglutesinner thighs
high
11:00
Sumo Squats

Feet nice and wide, toes turned out at a 45-degree angle.

glutesinner thighsquads
medium
12:00
Alternating Leg Lowers

This is about control, so don't rush it.

corelower back
medium
13:00
Sumo Squat with 2-Second Pause

Squatting down, we hold for one, two, and up.

glutesinner thighsquads
medium
14:00
Dead Bug

Extend opposite arm and opposite leg.

corelower backshoulders
medium
15:00
Sumo Squat 1.5 Reps

Squat all the way down, come up halfway, down again, and all the way up.

glutesinner thighsquads
high
16:00
Scissor Kicks / Leg Flutters

Keeping those shoulders off the whole time.

core
high
18:00
Bodyweight Squats

Hips get below our knees.

quadsglutescore
medium
19:00
Reverse Lunges

Back knee just kisses the floor.

quadsgluteshamstrings
medium
20:00
Squat with 2-Second Pause

Focusing on exploding back out of that squat.

quadsglutes
medium
21:00
Reverse Lunge with Pulse

Pulse at the bottom, then change.

quadsglutes
high
22:00
Squat 1.5 Reps

All the way down, up halfway, down again, up to standing.

quadsglutes
high
Cardio1 exercise
40s
23:00
Jumping Lunges

Final 40 seconds of work.

quadsglutesfull body
high
Cool-down3 exercises
59s
24:00
Cool-down: Pigeon Stretch

Focus on slowing that breathing down.

gluteships
low
24:41
Cool-down: Downward Dog Pedals

Drop your heel to the floor, alternating our legs.

calveshamstringsshoulders
low
25:01
Cool-down: Standing Quad Stretch

Drive those hips forward.

quadship flexors
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

glutesquadshamstrings

Secondary

coreinner thighships

Equipment & Modifications

Available Modifications

  • Hold at the top for two seconds
  • Pause at the bottom
  • Pulsing at the top
  • 10-second static hold
  • Stay low throughout
  • One and a half reps
  • Bring legs higher to make it easier
  • Drop legs lower to make it harder
  • Pulse at the bottom
  • Step back if jumping is too much
  • Hold onto a wall for balance

Coaching Highlights from Beth Hannam

Keep it straight, and try and hit those hands as you do a nice big kick.

Form

Keep that lower back pressed into the floor the whole time.

Safety

If it gets too much, shake it out, but get straight back to it.

Modification

Hold onto it at the most challenging part of the movement.

Motivation

Beth specializes in prenatal and postnatal fitness. Every cue accounts for the changing body with deep respect.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real glutes and quads strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. Best for women with 3-6 months of consistent training. Beth Hannam moves at a pace that assumes basic movement literacy.

unexplained weight gain

90% relevant

muscle mass preservation (metabolic rate); insulin sensitivity improvement; cortisol management; body composition over scale weight

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

aging appearance

90% relevant

Increased collagen production and skin elasticity through resistance training; Improved circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells; Enhanced muscle definition and tone to reduce appearance of sagging; Better posture to create a more youthful and confident appearance; Stress reduction and cortisol management (via Yoga/Pilates) to mitigate cellular aging; Improved lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

self worth decline

90% relevant

Enhances body awareness and interoception, fostering a more positive self-perception.; Builds physical strength and competence, translating to increased self-efficacy and confidence.; Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.; Offers a structured routine and sense of accomplishment, counteracting feelings of helplessness.; Improves posture and physical presence, which can positively impact self-image and how one is perceived.

difficulty losing weight

90% relevant

Increased basal metabolic rate through muscle mass development; Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation; Enhanced hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol management, estrogen metabolism); Reduced visceral fat accumulation; Improved body composition and fat-to-muscle ratio; Stress reduction and improved sleep quality (indirectly supports weight management)

Relevant For

back painbalancebone densitycardiovascularcoordinationcore strengthflexibilityhip painknee painmetabolismposturesciatica

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this muscle tone workout target?

The primary targets are glutes, quads, hamstrings, with secondary activation through core, inner thighs, hips. Beth Hannam programs 25 exercises across 25 minutes — standout moves include Glute Bridge (glutes, hamstrings). Lateral Lunge (quads, glutes). Glute Bridge with 2-Second Pause (glutes, hamstrings). According to SeniorShape Fitness, compound movements like these build functional strength that translates directly to daily life. It works well as a booty toning workout session. These arm toning exercises target your upper body through controlled resistance movements that build lean definition without bulk.

Do I need any equipment for this workout?

No equipment needed. Just your body weight and enough floor space. Beth Hannam shows exactly when to grab each piece so you're not scrambling mid-circuit. Many women use this as their primary resistance band for glutes exercises routine.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

This one's intermediate level. Beth Hannam assumes basic movement competence — you should be comfortable with foundational patterns like squats and hinges. That said, Beth Hannam does show modifications: Hold at the top for two seconds; Pause at the bottom. If you're newer, try the beginner sessions in this series first and come back.

How long is this workout?

About 25 minutes, start to finish. That includes 4 warm-up movements and a proper cool-down. Beth Hannam doesn't skip either end, which matters more than people think. 25 exercises total.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Beth Hannam provides modifications throughout. Examples: Hold at the top for two seconds; Pause at the bottom; Pulsing at the top; 10-second static hold; Stay low throughout; One and a half reps; Bring legs higher to make it easier; Drop legs lower to make it harder; Pulse at the bottom; Step back if jumping is too much; Hold onto a wall for balance. The point isn't to suffer through a move you can't do with good form. Beth Hannam's philosophy is clear: own the movement at your level first. Your body will tell you when it's ready for the next progression.

What health benefits does this 7-Day Bodyweight Challenge workout offer beyond fitness?

This session has direct relevance for women dealing with unexplained weight gain, dating after 40. The combination of exercises Beth Hannam chose targets not just aesthetics but functional health markers — bone density, insulin sensitivity, cortisol regulation. A study by Various authors (2018) found that this type of training produces measurable improvements in these areas. The intermediate-level programming means these benefits are accessible without risking injury.

How often should I do this workout?

Two to three times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Your muscles need 48-72 hours to repair and grow stronger after resistance work. Beth Hannam designed 7-Day Bodyweight Challenge as a progressive series, so doing the workouts in order gives your body time to adapt. If you're sore for more than two days, that's your body saying slow down, not push harder.

Why does this workout emphasize glutes exercises?

Because glutes strength is foundational. It supports everything from posture and balance to injury prevention and daily movement quality. Beth Hannam programs glutes-focused work into this session because it's the area most women lose strength in first during their 30s and 40s. The exercises here aren't random — they build on each other.

What should I eat after this workout for best results?

A meal or snack with both protein and carbohydrates within 90 minutes of finishing. Something like Greek yogurt with berries, or eggs with whole-grain toast. The protein supports muscle repair, the carbs replenish glycogen. Don't overthink it. Don't skip it either. Your muscles need raw materials to rebuild stronger, and this intermediate-level session asks real effort from your body.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Beth Hannam

Beth Hannam

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: 7-Day Bodyweight Challenge