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Easy 30-Minute FEMALE CALISTHENICS WORKOUT for Beginners at Home

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Tonya McIntosh

Tonya McIntosh—The main person behind TGFFitness as its Founder and Chief Editor. Get to know more about Tonya

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Reviewed By: Ashley Castleberry

You don’t need a pull-up bar or a set of rings to get a solid bodyweight session in.

This female calisthenics workout uses nothing but your bodyweight — and 30 minutes of your time.

You’ll work through 34 beginner-friendly exercises that hit your upper body, core, and legs. It’s a complete calisthenics workout at home that doesn’t skip anything.

If you’ve been wanting to try calisthenics for women but didn’t know where to start, this is it.

Here’s the full routine:

1

Prisoner Squats

Let’s kick off this female calisthenics workout with a solid lower-body staple.

Keeping your hands behind your head makes this harder than a regular squat because you can’t use your arms for momentum. So focus on keeping that chest proud!

How to perform:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outward.
  • Bend your knees and push your hips down and back, keeping your chest up.
  • Push through your feet to return to a standing position.
2

Prisoner Squat Hold

Same position as before, but now you’re not moving.

Sounds easy, right? Give it about 15 seconds and your legs will have a different opinion.

This is one of those basic calisthenics poses that really teaches you how to sit into proper squat form.

How to perform:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands behind your head.
  • Bend your knees and lower your hips down into a squat position.
  • Hold this bottom position without moving.
3

Negative Push Ups

If full push-ups aren’t in your wheelhouse yet, this is the perfect starting point.

The slow lowering is where all the strength-building happens, so don’t rush it.

This is one of the best beginner calisthenics for women moves because it builds you up without overwhelming you.

How to perform:

  • Start in a high plank position with your hands under your shoulders and your body in a straight line.
  • Slowly bend your elbows to lower your entire body to the floor with control.
  • Once your body is flat on the floor, drop your knees.
  • Push yourself back up from your knees to the starting high plank position.
4

Knee Push Up Pulses

Fair warning — the burn sneaks up on you fast with this one!

You’re only moving a few inches up and down, but those small pulses add up quick.

If your hips start to dip, that’s your cue to reset your form.

How to perform:

  • Start on your hands and knees, with your body in a straight line from your head to your knees.
  • Bend your elbows to lower your chest halfway to the floor.
  • Perform small, quick up-and-down pulsing movements in this lowered position.
5

Lunge + Knee Drive

Time to mix strength with a little balance work.

Don’t worry if you feel wobbly at first — that’s totally normal. The more you practice, the smoother it’ll get.

Pick a spot on the wall to focus on if you need help staying steady.

How to perform:

  • Step one leg back and bend both knees to lower into a lunge position.
  • Push off your front foot to stand up while simultaneously driving your back knee up toward your chest.
  • Step that same leg back down into the lunge position and repeat.
  • Switch legs to perform on the other side.
6

Lean Forward + Leg Raise

This one’s a two-for-one — you’ll work your balance and your glutes at the same time.

The key is keeping your hips square. If one hip starts to open up to the side, you’ll lose the benefit of the stretch.

Feel free to hold onto something if you need the extra support.

How to perform:

  • Stand on one leg with a slight bend in your knee and place your hands on your hips.
  • Hinge forward at your hips while keeping your back straight.
  • Lift your free leg straight out behind you, keeping it in line with your torso.
  • Lower your back leg to tap your foot on the floor and repeat.
  • Switch legs to perform on the other side.
7

Sit Up + Heel Tap

Here’s a fun twist on the classic sit-up.

That little reach at the top makes your abs work just a bit harder than a standard sit-up would.

Try to keep the movement smooth — no throwing yourself up with momentum!

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
  • Engage your core to sit all the way up, reaching your hands forward to tap your heels.
  • Slowly lower your torso back down to the floor with control.
8

Heel Tap Tuck Ups

Okay, this one’s a step up from the last exercise.

The goal is to never let your feet or back touch the ground between reps. If that’s too much right now, it’s totally fine to tap down and reset.

It takes some coordination, but it’s great for building that calisthenics physique in your core!

How to perform:

  • Balance on your tailbone with your torso leaning back and your legs extended out, hovering just above the floor.
  • Bring your knees in toward your chest while lifting your upper body forward, reaching your hands to tap your heels.
  • Extend your legs back out and lean your torso back without letting your feet or back touch the floor.
9

Diamond Push Ups

Ready to challenge your arms a little more?

The hand position shifts the work to your triceps, so expect your arms to feel this way more than a regular push-up.

If it’s too tough from your toes, drop to your knees — no shame in that.

How to perform:

  • Start in a high plank position and bring your hands close together under your chest.
  • Form a diamond shape with your thumbs and index fingers.
  • Bend your elbows to lower your chest toward your hands.
  • Push back up to the starting position.
10

Cobra Push Ups

Don’t confuse this with a regular push-up — your lower body stays grounded the whole time.

It’s a light calisthenics workout move that doubles as a nice stretch for your chest and back.

Take your time pressing up and really open through your shoulders.

How to perform:

  • Lie flat on your stomach with your legs extended and your hands placed flat on the floor near your ribs.
  • Keeping your hips and legs on the floor, press through your hands to lift your chest and straighten your arms.
  • Slowly bend your elbows to lower your chest back down to the floor.
11

Back Extension + Pull Back

This exercise is all about your posterior chain — basically everything along your backside.

Keep your movements controlled here. No jerky motions!

If you feel it mostly in your lower back, try squeezing your glutes before you lift. That helps shift the work where it should be.

How to perform:

  • Lie flat on your stomach with your arms extended straight out in front of you.
  • Lift your chest, arms, and legs off the floor simultaneously.
  • Squeeze your back muscles to pull your elbows down and back toward your ribs.
  • Extend your arms back out in front of you, then lower your body back to the floor.
12

Superwoman Arm Pulses

Think of this as a hold with a little extra arm action.

One small detail — your thumbs point up toward the ceiling the whole time. That helps you engage the right muscles across your upper back.

Keep breathing. It’s easy to hold your breath on this one!

How to perform:

  • Lie on your stomach, extend your arms straight out to your sides, and point your thumbs up toward the ceiling.
  • Lift your chest, arms, and legs off the floor.
  • Keep your body lifted and perform small up-and-down pulsing movements with your arms.
13

Low Plank Hold

It’s plank time!

This is a staple in just about every calisthenics workout routine, and for good reason — it works everything from your shoulders to your toes.

The number one thing to watch? Don’t let your hips sag or pike up. One straight line from head to heels.

How to perform:

  • Place your forearms on the floor with your elbows directly under your shoulders.
  • Extend your legs straight back to lift your body off the floor, forming a straight line from your head to your heels.
  • Hold this position without letting your hips sag or lift.
14

Low Plank Rocks

Same position, but now you’re adding movement.

That little rocking motion fires up muscles you didn’t even know were working during a regular plank.

Small move, big difference.

How to perform:

  • Start in a low plank position on your forearms with your body in a straight line.
  • Push off your toes to rock your entire body forward, bringing your shoulders slightly past your elbows.
  • Rock your body backward to the starting position and repeat the forward and backward motion.
15

Hollow + Knee Hug

This one looks simple, but the challenge is in the transitions.

You’ll go from fully extended to tucked and back again — without resting in between.

If you’re new to this calisthenics workout for beginners move, start slow and focus on keeping your lower back pressed into the mat.

How to perform:

  • Lie flat on your back, extend your arms straight overhead, and lift your straight legs and upper body off the floor.
  • Bring your knees in toward your chest and wrap your arms around your legs to hug them.
  • Extend your legs back out and reach your arms overhead without letting your feet or shoulders touch the floor.
16

Hollow Hold

And now you’ll hold that extended position without moving.

If your lower back starts to lift off the mat, bend your knees slightly — that’s your body telling you it needs a small adjustment.

Even a few seconds of solid form here is worth more than a sloppy 30.

How to perform:

  • Lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms extended overhead.
  • Lift your legs, head, and shoulders slightly off the floor, pressing your lower back firmly into the mat.
  • Hold this position without moving.
17

High Plank Hold

This might look simple, but holding it with good form takes real effort.

Think about pushing the floor away from you — that cue helps you stay engaged through your shoulders and core.

Keep breathing steady!

How to perform:

  • Place your hands flat on the floor directly under your shoulders and extend your legs straight back.
  • Keep your arms straight and your body in a straight line from your head to your heels.
  • Hold this position while keeping your core engaged.
18

Push Up + Climber

Now we’re picking up the pace a bit.

This combo hits your chest, core, and cardio all at once, which is why it’s a go-to in so many calisthenics women workouts.

Try to keep your hips level during the knee drives — they’ll want to rock side to side.

How to perform:

  • Start in a high plank position and perform one standard push-up.
  • Once back in the high plank, quickly drive one knee up toward your chest and return it.
  • Drive the other knee up toward your chest and return it.
  • Alternate between performing one push-up and one set of alternating knee drives.
19

Crunch + Knee In

Time to flip onto your back for some focused ab work.

You’ll pair the crunch with a knee pull, which creates more tension than either move would on its own.

Alternate sides with each rep to keep things balanced.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your hands behind your head and your legs straight.
  • Engage your core to lift your shoulders off the floor while simultaneously bending one knee and drawing it in toward your chest.
  • Lower your upper body and leg back to the floor, then repeat the movement using the opposite leg.
20

Crunch + Both Knees In

Same idea as the last one, but both knees come in together now.

This gives your lower abs a little extra attention.

Take it slow and really squeeze at the top — don’t just go through the motions.

How to perform:

  • Lay on your back with your hands behind your head and your legs straight.
  • Engage your core to lift your shoulders off the floor while bending both knees and bringing them in toward your chest.
  • Lower your upper body and extend your legs back to the starting position.
21

Bicycle Crunch (Pulsing)

You’ve probably done bicycle crunches before, but have you ever held each twist and pulsed?

That pause makes your obliques work way harder than the regular version.

It’s one of those calisthenics for women moves that looks simple but will surprise you.

How to perform:

  • Lay on your back with your hands behind your head and your knees bent over your hips.
  • Lift your shoulders off the floor, twist your torso to bring one elbow toward the opposite knee, and extend your other leg straight out.
  • Hold this twisted position and perform small pulsing movements.
  • Switch sides to perform the pulsing movements on the opposite side.
22

Reverse Crunches

Instead of lifting your upper body, you’ll lift your hips this time.

Your legs hover off the floor between reps, so your abs don’t get a break.

If your lower back feels strained, keep the movements smaller until you build more strength.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your arms resting by your sides and your legs extended straight, hovering above the floor.
  • Bend your knees and bring them in toward your chest, lifting your hips slightly off the floor at the top of the movement.
  • Extend your legs back out to the hovering position and repeat.
23

Ab Hold

Just like the name says — you hold.

It’s a straightforward calisthenics workout at home move that teaches you how to really brace your core.

If it feels too easy, your legs might be too high. Lower them an inch or two and see how that changes things!

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your head and shoulders resting on the floor and your arms by your sides.
  • Extend your legs straight out and lift them so they are hovering just a few inches above the floor.
  • Hold this position while keeping your lower back pressed into the mat.
24

Straight Leg Sit Ups

Do you struggle with sit-ups because your feet keep lifting off the ground?

Keeping your legs straight and reaching for your toes actually helps with that.

Take your time on the way down — the lowering part is where a lot of the work happens.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your legs extended straight on the floor and your arms reaching overhead.
  • Engage your core to sit all the way up, keeping your legs straight, and reach forward to tap your toes.
  • Slowly lower your upper body back down to the floor with control.
25

Lean Back Leg Kicks

This one looks easygoing, but your hip flexors and lower abs will tell a different story.

Keep your chest open and your legs as straight as you can throughout.

If your lower back starts to ache, sit up a little taller to take some pressure off.

How to perform:

  • Sit on the floor and lean your torso back, supporting your weight on your hands placed behind you.
  • Lift both legs off the floor, keeping them straight.
  • Alternate kicking one straight leg up toward the ceiling while the other lowers slightly, in a continuous fluttering motion.
26

Both Legs Out + In

This is one of those moves that really tests your core stability.

The key is control — don’t just kick your legs out. Think about pushing them away from you slowly and pulling them back with purpose.

It’s a solid part of any female calisthenics workout plan.

How to perform:

  • Sit on the floor, lean your torso back, and place your hands on the floor behind you for support.
  • Lift your feet off the floor and bend your knees to draw them in toward your chest.
  • Push both legs out straight in front of you, then pull them back in without letting your feet touch the ground.
27

Body Twists

Let’s give your obliques some love.

Your feet stay on the ground for this one, so think of it as a warm-up for the next exercise, which takes things up a notch.

Focus on rotating from your ribcage, not just swinging your arms.

How to perform:

  • Sit on the floor with your knees bent, your feet resting on the ground, and your torso leaning slightly back.
  • Clasp your hands together and twist your torso to bring your hands toward the floor on one side of your body.
  • Twist your torso to bring your hands to the opposite side, continuing to alternate sides.
28

Legs Up + Body Twists

Same twisting motion, but now your feet are off the ground.

That one change makes this way more challenging — your entire core has to work just to keep you balanced.

If you need to tap your feet down between reps, that’s okay!

How to perform:

  • Sit on the floor, lean your torso back slightly, and lift your feet off the ground so your shins are parallel to the floor.
  • Clasp your hands together and twist your torso to bring your hands toward the floor on one side of your body.
  • Twist to the other side, keeping your feet lifted and balanced throughout the movement.
29

Low Plank Climbers

Back in the plank for this one.

The knee-to-shoulder movement targets your obliques and hip flexors while your shoulders and core hold you steady.

This is a solid full-body move in any calisthenics workout plan, so take your time and own each rep.

How to perform:

  • Start in a low plank position on your forearms with your body in a straight line.
  • Bring one knee up and outward toward your shoulder on the same side of your body.
  • Return the leg to the starting position and repeat the movement with your other leg, alternating sides.
30

Step Back + Push Up

No jumping here — and that’s on purpose.

Stepping back instead of jumping makes this way more controlled, which is perfect for a calisthenics workout at home where you might not want to be bouncing around.

Go at whatever pace feels right for you.

How to perform:

  • Stand tall, then bend at your hips and knees to place your hands flat on the floor.
  • Step one foot back, followed by the other, to enter a high plank position.
  • Perform one push-up by lowering your chest to the floor and pressing back up.
  • Step one foot back in toward your hands, followed by the other, and stand back up to the starting position.
31

Low Push Up Hold

This is the bottom of a push-up — and you’re staying there.

Your arms will start to shake, and that’s a good sign. It means you’re building real upper-body strength.

Keep your body in one straight line and breathe through it!

How to perform:

  • Start in a high plank position with your hands placed directly under your shoulders.
  • Bend your elbows and lower your body until your chest is hovering just above the floor and your arms form a 90-degree angle.
  • Hold this lowered position while keeping your body in a straight line.
32

Squat + Lunge

We’re heading into the home stretch now!

This combo keeps your legs under constant tension because you’re going from one movement right into the next.

It’s a great finisher for your quads and glutes in this calisthenics workout routine.

How to perform:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and lower your hips down into a squat.
  • Push back up to a standing position, then immediately step one foot back into a reverse lunge.
  • Stand back up, perform another squat, and then step your other foot back into a reverse lunge.
33

Squat Walk

Ever tried walking while holding a deep squat? It’s tougher than you’d think!

The constant tension on your legs is what makes this basic calisthenics move so sneaky-hard.

Stay low the whole time — the moment you stand up, you lose the benefit.

How to perform:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lower your hips down into a deep squat position.
  • While holding this low squat, take a step forward with one foot, followed by the other.
  • Maintaining the squat, take a step backward with one foot, followed by the other, pacing forward and backward.
34

Burpee + 2 Push Ups

You made it to the last exercise!

This is the most challenging move in the whole female calisthenics workout, but you’ve already crushed 33 exercises — so you’ve absolutely got this.

Give it everything you’ve got and finish strong!

How to perform:

  • Start standing, drop into a squat, and place your hands on the floor.
  • Jump both feet back simultaneously to land in a high plank position.
  • Perform two consecutive push-ups.
  • Jump both feet back in toward your hands, stand up, and perform a small jump at the top of the movement.

Article Medically reviewed by

I’m fitness coach Ashley Castleberry, an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritionist, as well as a coach on an established YouTube Channel with over 1 million followers. With certifications from major fitness brands, I specialize in athletic, HIIT, and strength training. Leveraging my experience coaching clients on lifestyle changes, I provide customized exercise and nutrition guidance to help people reach their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, muscle gain or overall health improvement.

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Writer & Editor
Tonya McIntosh

Hi, I’m Tonya McIntosh — Founder of TGFFitness, NASM-certified Nutrition Coach, and Personal Trainer. With over 8 years of coaching experience, I’ve seen firsthand that the biggest challenge most people face isn’t starting — it’s staying consistent.

Finding your true motivator is the key to lasting results — and I’ll show you how. Keep Reading.

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