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Low Impact HIIT — Workout 7

This 25-minute beginner workout focuses on 25 minute beginner low impact hiit for quads and glutes. Led by Danielle Harrison, it targets quads, glutes, hips with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

15 exercises in Workout 7

Warm-up4 exercises
2m 25s
0:15
Warm-up: Walking and Hip Circles

Get the knees up nice and high

hipsfull body
low
1:00
Warm-up: Squats and Head Rolls

Drop down into that squat, just as low as you're able to

quadsgluteshipsneck
low
1:40
Warm-up: Shoulder Rolls and Side Stretches

Lift up and over for me, nice long stretch

shouldersspinecore
low
2:20
Warm-up: Quad Stretch and Balance

Keep that core engaged and nice and balanced

quadscoreankles
low
Strength5 exercises
3m 25s
5:00
Standing Oblique Crunches

Stand nice and tall, lift up between each rep

corehips
medium
7:00
Squat Hold with Punches

Nice, sharp jab and cross

quadsglutesarmscore
high
9:00
Tricep Dips

It's a small bend

tricepsshoulderscore
medium
10:00
Kneel to Stand with Knee Drive

Down, down, up, up, knee drive

quadsglutescorehips
high
11:00
Lateral Lunges

Send your hips back, drive back in

glutesquadsinner thighships
medium
Cardio4 exercises
2m 40s
3:00
Squat Jacks

Keep the core engaged, try not to collapse

quadsglutesfull body
medium
4:00
Squat Lateral Toe Touches

As you come up, you're gonna tap that toe

quadsglutescore
medium
6:00
Explosive Squats with Overhead Hold

Arms stay up the whole time

quadsglutescalvesshoulders
high
8:00
Low Skater Step Lunges

Stay low the whole time

quadsglutesouter thighships
high
Cool-down2 exercises
3m 29s
21:00
Cool Down: Downward Dog and Pigeon

Press through those shoulders, alternate driving through the heels

hamstringsshouldershipsspine
low
22:30
Cool Down: Upper Body Stretches and Scoops

Deep breath in, breathing out

tricepsshouldersfull body
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

quadsgluteships

Secondary

coreshouldersfull body

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Jogging if able
  • Balance on something if needed
  • Increase pace for higher intensity
  • Touch knee instead of foot if struggling
  • Add a weight if desired
  • Remove the calf raise/jump for lower impact
  • Stand up briefly to shake off if legs burn too much
  • Add a jump for more intensity
  • Stay higher if floor touch is too hard
  • Use a chair or bench for deeper range
  • Lift one leg for extra challenge
  • Perform standing knee drives only if kneeling is difficult
  • Tap the foot instead of lifting the knee

Coaching Highlights from Danielle Harrison

Press through those shoulders, alternate driving through the heels

Form

Be careful of the knee, that it doesn't twist

Safety

Lift that leg for me, engaging that core

Modification

Stay down for the whole 45 seconds if you can

Motivation

Danielle's approach centers body awareness over aesthetics. She coaches the internal experience of movement, not just the mechanics.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real quads and glutes strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. No fitness background required. Danielle Harrison 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

anxietyback painbalancebone densitycardiovascularcore strengthflexibilityhip painmetabolismneck painpostureshoulder painstressweight gain

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this muscle tone workout target?

The primary targets are quads, glutes, hips, with secondary activation through core, shoulders, full body. Danielle Harrison programs 15 exercises across 25 minutes — standout moves include Standing Oblique Crunches (core, hips). Squat Hold with Punches (quads, glutes). Tricep Dips (triceps, shoulders). 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 booty toning workout session. These arm toning exercises target your upper body through controlled resistance movements that build lean definition without bulk.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll need mat. Don't have everything? Swap in thick towel, carpet. Danielle Harrison 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?

Yes. Danielle Harrison designed this session for people who are starting out or coming back after a break. Modifications shown throughout: Jogging if able; Balance on something if needed. The 25-minute format is deliberate — long enough to challenge your muscles, short enough that you'll actually finish.

How long is this workout?

About 25 minutes, start to finish. That includes 4 warm-up movements and a proper cool-down. Danielle Harrison doesn't skip either end, which matters more than people think. 15 exercises total.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Danielle Harrison provides modifications throughout. Examples: Jogging if able; Balance on something if needed; Increase pace for higher intensity; Touch knee instead of foot if struggling; Add a weight if desired; Remove the calf raise/jump for lower impact; Stand up briefly to shake off if legs burn too much; Add a jump for more intensity; Stay higher if floor touch is too hard; Use a chair or bench for deeper range; Lift one leg for extra challenge; Perform standing knee drives only if kneeling is difficult; Tap the foot instead of lifting the knee. The point isn't to suffer through a move you can't do with good form. Danielle Harrison'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 Low Impact HIIT workout offer beyond fitness?

This session has direct relevance for women dealing with unexplained weight gain, dating after 40. The combination of exercises Danielle Harrison chose targets not just aesthetics but functional health markers — bone density, insulin sensitivity, cortisol regulation. A study by We Talk Menopause 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. Danielle Harrison designed Low Impact HIIT 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 quads exercises?

Because quads strength is foundational. It supports everything from posture and balance to injury prevention and daily movement quality. Danielle Harrison programs quads-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 Danielle Harrison 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

Danielle Harrison

Danielle Harrison

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Low Impact HIIT