Let’s face it, we have all struggled with making the most out of the 24 hours we are given in a day. Endless chores, errands, care for others, and even self-care leaves us feeling scattered and exhausted by the end of the day. Although working out has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, it stresses us out just thinking about how long it’s been since we have last gone to the gym or how much effort it will be to get a workout in after a busy day. We understand you and we got you, love!
Here are our top 4 best workouts to do in the least amount of time that will give you the results you are looking for.
1. Lift Something Heavy for 5 Minutes
Lifting for 5 minutes a day can boost your energy and your mood, increase your metabolism, and allow you to actually see long-term changes in your body. Core and arm strength workouts don't need to be 30 minutes long to be effective.
Shop for a pair of dumbbells to store under your bed for quick access and set a daily reminder on your phone. With just 5 minutes a day of strengthening your muscles, you will see physical results and positive changes in your mood.
2. HIIT Sessions
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) sessions are a fantastic way to combine multiple activities into one to give you a really intense workout in a short period of time. These sessions typically involve performing 3-5 intervals of very short intense exercises followed by a short recovery period. The best part is that you can make these workouts as intense as you are comfortable with.
Start by picking 3 of your favorite movements (jump squats, sit-ups, lunges, you name it), set a timer, or download a HITT timekeeper app and go for one round. 2-4 rounds, switching up movements as you go and soon..you’ll be finished with your workout and feeling good!
3. Walking and running
For those of us who live by the words, “I’ll only run if something is chasing me.” we hear you! Bur like it or not running AND walking are two of the easiest exercises as they can be done nearly everywhere by nearly everyone. Walking for 30 minutes every day can boost cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, and increase endurance. Even making small changes by choosing to walk to the store instead of driving can help you fit exercise into your daily routine. & hey, if you’re feeling up to it, you can turn your walk in the neighborhood into a slow jog when you’re feeling more comfortable with it. Forming the habit of walking is the first step in creating so many positive changes in your routine.
4. Choose Your Calisthenics Exercises
(And write it down 📝 )
Sometimes the hardest part about working out is figuring out what you are going to do. To avoid missing any workouts, plan it out and write it down. Find a dedicated space in your house to hang up your exercise plan and do some Calisthenics.
Calisthenics is exercises that use only your own bodyweight which makes these types of exercises a lot easier to do if you’ve got a quick 15 minutes of free time. These exercises are a great way to get started with some beginner movements as they are low risk but will still give you the feeling of a job well done!
Sources:
"Yes, You Can Actually Get an Effective Strength Training Workout in 5 Minutes" by Rachel Lapidos
"What are the best workouts and exercises to do in the least amount of time?" by GYMILES team
