3 Dorm Workouts You Can Actually Stick To

Confession: I once bought a pricey campus gym membership during Freshers’ Week and went exactly three times. Between coursework, late-night McDonald’s, and the trek between the campus library and my accommodation, working out felt impossible. So I hacked my own fitness routine in a tiny dorm-friendly workout setup that doesn’t annoy my flatmates or require any equipment.

The “Desk Break” Core & Strength Set

Time: 5 minutes

Equipment: Desk, chair, wall

Noise: Minimal

Space: 1–2 square metres

After long study sessions at the library, especially during exam seasons, my back felt like it belonged to a 60-year-old. So I started sneaking in a 5-minute set: incline push-ups against the desk, seated leg raises (yes, sitting in the chair), and wall sits. No space needed, no equipment.

👉 Try this 5-minute dorm-friendly workout: Small Space Workout

Lesson: You don’t need a yoga mat, just use the furniture you already have.

The “Noisy Neighbour” Cardio Hack

Time: 10 minutes

Equipment: None

Noise: Silent-friendly

Space: Small room or hallway

My dorm walls are thin (like, I hear my neighbour’s Spotify playlist thin). Jumping jacks? Not an option. Instead, I do mountain climbers, standing knee drives, and silent burpees. Zero stomping, maximum sweat. Honestly, this routine has saved me during exam stress when I couldn’t face leaving the flat. Bonus Perk: it gets the heart rate up, gives an adrenaline rush, but my neighbours don’t think I’m rehearsing Riverdance.

👉 This video saved me during exams: Quiet Cardio Workout

Lesson: Small space + silence doesn’t mean boring—it just forces creativity.

The “Pre-Sleep Stretch Flow”

Time: 10 minutes

Equipment: Rug or towel

Noise: None

Space: Floor space beside the bed

Instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram for hours before I go to bed, I roll out my rug and do a 10-minute stretch: seated forward folds, cat-cow, spinal twists. My flatmate once joined, and now it’s basically our end-of-day reset. Zero equipment, just deep breaths.

👉 Here’s what I follow: 10-Min Dorm Stretch

Lesson: Stretching = sanity. I sleep better, stress less, and don’t feel wrecked the next day.

London dorms aren’t spacious (mine could barely fit a suitcase), but that doesn’t mean fitness is off the table. If anything, it taught me to stick to short, bodyweight routines that don’t require space, noise, or gear. Honestly, it’s been more sustainable than any gym plan I’ve ever tried.

Got a dorm workout you swear by? Share it! We’re all looking for hacks that won’t annoy flatmates or get us noise complaints.