The 80/20 Life

The 80/20 Life

The Beginner Bodyweight Routine I’d Give Any Office Worker

If You're not sure where to start, look no further

Somesh Dev's avatar
Somesh Dev
Apr 29, 2026
∙ Paid
Woman exercising on yoga mat watching laptop
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

A while back, while recovering from ankle surgery, I found myself in an unusual position: away from the gym, unable to train the way I normally would, and forced to slow down.

At first, I did not love it.

But that period gave me something useful. It reminded me that when you strip fitness down to its essentials, you do not actually need much to get started again. You do not need machines, fancy equipment, or a perfect program. You just need a few basic movements, done consistently, with a clear way to improve them over time.

And for people living the office life, that matters.

Because if you spend most of your day sitting, supported by a chair, your body gradually stops doing the work it is meant to do. Your hips tighten. Your back gets stiff. Your legs get lazy. Muscles that should be helping you move start switching off.

That is where simple home training comes in.

This is the beginner starter pack I would give anyone who wants to start exercising at home with no equipment at all. It is built around four foundational movement patterns: push, squat, pull, and hinge.

These are the main movers. Learn them, practice them, and build them patiently.

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