All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.

However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

Trainersspend hours every day helping other people work toward their fitness goals.

Image may contain Hair Human Person and Word

Katie Thompson

They’re simply more efficientand who doesn’t want to get more done in less time?

But overall, compound exercises tend to take up the majority of time in their routines.

Of course, I should acknowledge that trainers are often strong and fit and work out very often.

Image may contain Human Person Dance Pose Leisure Activities Fitness Exercise Sport Sports and Working Out

Exercising is part of their job, after all.

There’s a reason for thatthe basics work, and complicated moves aren’t always better.

Below, check out 11 exercises top trainers do every time they work out.

woman performing a banded bridge

Burpee

“I love burpees, in a love-to-hate-them' kind of way.

Theyre a great heart-rate raiser and they hit so many muscles and different parts of your body.

you’re free to also modify them or add to them to change it up.

Image may contain Human Person and Hair

They are easy for me.

Doing glute bridges with a band is great for that.

I travel with a resistance band in my bag.

Image may contain Human Person Exercise Fitness Sport Sports Working Out Hair and Gym

Side Lunges

“Side lunges are my favorite exercise, period.

I do them before cardio (running or cycling) or Ill add them to any workout.

It’s a great bodyweight exercise.

Image may contain Human Person Hair Sport Sports Exercise and Working Out

“Kira Stokes, celebrity trainer and creator of theStoked Method

Quick note: These are quite challenging.

Squat

“Every time I work out I do some sort of squat.

When done correctly, it can also improve hip mobility.

Image may contain Human Person Word Fitness Exercise Sport Sports Working Out Footwear Shoe Clothing and Apparel

The offset load forces the core muscles to work extra hard to keep your body stable.

As you jump, keep your elbows close to your body, core engaged, and knees soft.

It gets me in the right head space.

Image may contain Footwear Clothing Apparel Shoe Human Person and Hair

Between a little Nelly radio on Pandora and my jump rope, my body is ready to go play!

I love the feeling I get after a good jump rope session or even after just a short warm-up.

It leaves me feeling energized.

Image may contain Human Person Clothing and Apparel

I love that you’ve got the option to go fast or slow.

you’re free to keep your arms straight or cross them.

you could jump the rope or skip it.

This image may contain Human Person Sport Sports Exercise Working Out Fitness and Yoga

There are tons of variations that keep it fun and interesting.

I like all different variationsdownward-dog-to-plank is my jam just as much as a more traditional Vinyasa flows.

For running, HIIT, and strength training workouts, walkouts-to-down-dog or down-dog-to-low-lunge are almost always in my warm-up.

Image may contain Human Person Clothing Apparel Footwear Shoe and Hair

After running, downward dog always feels AMAZING.

Ive experienced all the benefits in the form of stronger glutes, legs, and lower back.

Gifs and image: Photographer: Katie Thompson.

Image may contain Sitting Human Person Footwear Clothing Apparel and Shoe

Hair grooming: Yukiko Tajima.

Makeup: Risako Matsushita.

Stylists: Rika Watanabe, Tiffany Dodson.

She currently lives in Philadelphia and firmly believes you’re always just one workout away from a good mood.