Your Daily Exercise in Under 15 Minutes
Don't you just hate it when life’s daily routine gets in the way of you finding time to exercise?
For some of us, work and family take priority over our health. Not to say that’s a bad thing, but if you aren't fit and healthy, do you not think your family and work life will suffer in return? It is possible to find time to exercise and still not neglect the other importance aspects of your life. Plus, you don't need anything more than 15 minutes maximum in your day.
It’s been shown in studies that short high intense bursts of exercise for a few minutes per day actually has the same health benefits of at least one hour of “moderate paced” exercise. The trick is get the heart-rate up for a short period of time, and then bring it back down to lesser rate for short period of time, and repeat this for several minutes.
Here are few things you could try after a brief warm-up:
- Stair Running:
Your stairs at home can be used as a great way to exercise, start by sprinting up them. Once you’re at the top, walk back down them. Repeat this several times. You can also do this on an outside flight of stairs if you have access to them.
- Shuttle Runs:
You can do this out in your backyard. Set up cones at either end and also place two in the middle, about 5 meters apart. You can create make-shift cones out of common household objects like sauce pan lids or bowls even! From the first cone, sprint to the second cone and sprint back to the first cone and then run to the third cone and then return to the first cone and then sprint to the last cone and sprint back to the first cone again. Ensure you are bending down and touching each cone every time. Straight after this, do a lap or two of the yard at walking pace, getting your breath back and lowering your heart rate, and then repeat the shuttle run once more. Do about 3-4 circuits. Again, you could do this in the nearby park if you have one.
- Burpees and Jumping Jacks:
If you're not feeling as fit to perform the above, then you could try a little circuit of twenty burpees or jumping jacks followed by a sprint on the spot, getting your knees up high for thirty seconds. Then, to bring your heart rate down somewhat, you can do some marching on the spot for sixty seconds and then repeat. You can do this circuit absolutely anywhere, including your bedroom or living area at home.
Besides the fat burning benefits, it's been shown that this type of exercise can also improve the function and structure of blood vessels, in particular arteries that deliver blood to our muscles and heart.
So now there is no excuse for not finding the time to exercise….
So what are you waiting for?

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well today I have to go do
well today I have to go get some things done, and some unexpected car troubles came up. So having these "life issues" come up, I did half of my workout in the morning, and I'm going to do the other half in the evening. Splitting up your daily routine usually works, as long as you can take showers at the appropriate times.
Brief Exercise
Excellent suggestions. I'd like to add one if I may - Tabata Intervals. There's a ton of info on this on the web, but here's the lowdown: Exercise intensely non-stop for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat that pattern for 8 "sets". This type of exercise lends itself well to sprinting, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, box jumps, etc. Brief (3 minutes and 50 seconds)... Yes. Intense... Definitely. Effective... The research says yes, but you'll have to try it yourself to find out for sure.
Here's another tip: if you're going to Tabatas precisely, you'll need an interval timer. I recommend (and personally use) a timer made by GymBoss. I never go to the gym without it - and I'm a stickler for keeping accurate records and sticking to my program. If you're interested at all, you can check the timer out at www.gymboss.com (just FYI, I am not affiliated with this product or company at all.. I just really like it).
At the end of the day, how we choose to spend our time is a reflection of our priorities and values. If 15 minutes (or even 5 minutes) a day is too much to ask, then perhaps a re-evaluation of values is in order.
David Berman, MS, PT, COMT, CSCS
www.failfaster.net
www.marvtec.com
Here Here David! I'm
Here Here David! I'm totally with you on this. Thanks so much for the input.
Awsome post!
Even I am guilty of thinking I need at least an hour... Thanks for posting this as a great reminder!
Be Blessed,
Mona Liza "MO" Reyes
www.goteammo.com - please visit & sign up on my website & sign up, would love to see you on there!
Thank you Mo! I just feel
Thank you Mo! I just feel that there is no excuse for not engaging in any physical activity. When people think of 'training' they think it requires 7days of 1-2 hours in the gym or outdoors etc. The time you spend on your exercising depends on your goals but when it comes to cardiovascular health and longevity then EVERYONE should partake in the bare minimum.
I mean I always say if you can't find 'any' time then incorporate it into your daily routine.
i.e. take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a walk on your lunch hour, walk to the store when you buy your groceries...
You can even turn housework into a form of exercise. Get some music pumping and if ya hoovering or mopping, get some rhythm in there. I know cleaning my apartment burns plenty of calories, scrubbing, polishing, hoovering, mopping, I normally put some dance music on and get into the groove! LOL! I probably look like an idiot but the more limbs that are a bopping the more calories you are a popping!
Great suggestion
You're right, there is just no excuse for not getting the bare minimum in, on a weekly basis.
It just depends on how badly you want it! Where there is a will, there is a way!
"Obsession is a term the lazy use to describe the dedicated" - Anon.
"Shoot for the stars, you might just reach the sky" - Unknown