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Functional Full Body — Workout 6

This 20-minute beginner workout focuses on functional spine and glute exercises. Led by Linda Chambers, it targets glutes, spine, shoulders with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

16 exercises in Workout 6

Warm-up4 exercises
1m 52s
0:45
Warm-up: Deep Squat with Thoracic Rotation

Reach one hand up to the ceiling, bring that hand down, and then change.

hipsspineshoulders
low
1:21
Warm-up: Hamstring Stretch to Squat

Lift the hips up, we're gonna pull the torso in towards the legs.

hamstringsglutesspine
low
1:46
Warm-up: Reverse Lunge with Lateral Reach

Lean towards the leg that's in front of us.

quadshipsspine
low
2:16
Warm-up: Arm Circles and Rotations

Take some arm circles just to make sure we get those shoulders as warm as they can be.

shouldersspine
low
Strength7 exercises
12m 53s
2:41
Curtsy Lunge with Tricep Kickback

We lean into it, take that little pulse, and reset.

glutestricepsquads
medium
3:46
Hip Extension to Overhead Reach

Pull the inner thighs in towards each other.

glutestricepsupper backinner thighs
medium
4:46
Sumo Squat to High Pull

Drive up through the middle and squeeze the glutes at the top.

glutesinner thighsshouldershamstrings
medium
5:46
Kneeling Hip Press to Shoulder Press

Hinge your butt back, and then press the weights overhead.

glutesshoulderscore
medium
6:46
Side Lunge with Bicep Curl

It's a more of a deadlift than a single leg squat or lunge.

hamstringsglutesbicepscore
medium
8:46
Scissor Kicks with Alternate Toe Touch

Weights towards one foot as we drop the other leg down.

corehamstrings
medium
9:46
Circuit Repeat: Curtsy Lunge to Scissor Kicks

We're gonna go back into the very beginning.

full body
medium
Cool-down4 exercises
3m 22s
16:41
Cool-down: Full Body Stretch

Straighten your arms above your head... let your legs straighten.

full bodyhip flexors
low
17:31
Cool-down: Knee to Chest and Spinal Twist

Take the knee to the opposite side of the body. Turn your head and look down your arm.

hipsspineglutes
low
18:41
Cool-down: Seated Butterfly Stretch with Rotation

Keep the soles of the feet together... pull ourselves in.

inner thighshipsspine
low
19:31
Cool-down: Downward Dog to Roll Up

Real nice and slow, let's roll ourselves all the way up to the top.

calveshamstringsspine
low
pilates1 exercise
59s
7:46
Alternate Bird Dog

Opposite hand to opposite leg is going to reach out and curl in.

corelower backglutesshoulders
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

glutesspineshoulders

Secondary

hamstringshipscore

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • dumbbells

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

water bottlescanned goodsresistance bands

Available Modifications

  • body weight only
  • toes off the ground for more intensity
  • lower the leg only as far as back comfort allows

Coaching Highlights from Linda Chambers

Take some arm circles just to make sure we get those shoulders as warm as they can be.

Form

Make sure that we do stretch everything along the back line of the body.

Safety

Linda brings clinical precision to every session. Her background in corrective exercise shows in how she cues alignment and breathing.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real glutes and spine strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. No fitness background required. Linda Chambers meets you where you are.

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 densitycore strengthflexibilityhip painmetabolismpostureshoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this muscle tone workout target?

The primary targets are glutes, spine, shoulders, with secondary activation through hamstrings, hips, core. Linda Chambers programs 16 exercises across 20 minutes — standout moves include Curtsy Lunge with Tricep Kickback (glutes, triceps). Hip Extension to Overhead Reach (glutes, triceps). Sumo Squat to High Pull (glutes, inner_thighs). According to SeniorShape Fitness, compound movements like these build functional strength that translates directly to daily life. This is a beginner-friendly session, but the muscle engagement is real. It works well as a shoulder workouts with dumbbells session. This booty toning workout targets all three gluteal muscles through a mix of hip extension, abduction, and rotation movements.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll need dumbbells. Don't have everything? Swap in water bottles, canned goods, resistance bands. Linda Chambers shows exactly when to grab each piece so you're not scrambling mid-circuit. Many women use this as their primary shoulder workouts with dumbbells routine. If you're looking for resistance band for glutes exercises, this session delivers.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

Yes. Linda Chambers designed this session for people who are starting out or coming back after a break. Modifications shown throughout: body weight only; toes off the ground for more intensity. The 20-minute format is deliberate — long enough to challenge your muscles, short enough that you'll actually finish.

How long is this workout?

About 20 minutes, start to finish. That includes 4 warm-up movements and a proper cool-down. Linda Chambers doesn't skip either end, which matters more than people think. 16 exercises total. It doubles as solid arm toning exercises programming.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Linda Chambers provides modifications throughout. Examples: body weight only; toes off the ground for more intensity; lower the leg only as far as back comfort allows. The point isn't to suffer through a move you can't do with good form. Linda Chambers'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 Functional Full Body workout offer beyond fitness?

This session has direct relevance for women dealing with unexplained weight gain, dating after 40. The combination of exercises Linda Chambers chose targets not just aesthetics but functional health markers — bone density, insulin sensitivity, cortisol regulation. A study by Various authors (2023) found that this type of training produces measurable improvements in these areas. The beginner-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. Linda Chambers designed Functional Full Body 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. Linda Chambers 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.

Can I do this workout if I have joint pain or stiffness?

Start with the modifications Linda Chambers shows and see how your body responds. Many of the exercises in this session can be scaled — lower range of motion, lighter load, slower tempo. Joint stiffness in your 30s and 40s often improves with consistent movement, not avoidance. That said, sharp pain during any exercise means stop. Pain is information, not a challenge to push through.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Linda Chambers

Linda Chambers

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Functional Full Body