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While crushing a long workout certainly doesn’t hurt, it turns out doing many small workouts is better than doing one long one. Short workouts are great because they are not as intimidating to start, they allow you to focus on improving your form and intensity, and avoid the negative effects of overtraining. Remember, every little bit counts. And once you start to notice a difference by doing a little, you’ll find yourself doing a little bit — or maybe even a lot — more.
There are all kinds of ways to add a bit of a workout into your day, and some are quite simple. Say you work on the third floor...skip the elevator and take the stairs to and from the parking lot. Speaking of parking lots, instead of finding the spot closest to the entrance, why not park in the last spot and clock some extra steps? Instead of asking someone to help, go across the hall or downstairs to get something yourself. The formula is simple: the more movement, the better.
As far as formal workouts, there are some really effective short workouts. The Tabata Method for instance. Dr. Izumi Tabata developed this technique to maximize results in minimal time. You work hard in a high-intensity exercise interval for 20 seconds, then take a 10-second break — repeating this eight times in a row. Tabata showed that athletes using this approach get better results in a shorter amount of time than those who train at a lower intensity for a longer duration. Quick and effective is a combo we can all get behind, and a good way to see if it’s for you is to check out tabata-style classes in gyms, studios, or by using fitness apps like Gixo.
Sometimes letting someone else plan the workout is not only a mental relief, it’s more effective, too. Professional trainers know how to make each and every move count. A well-designed workout program is more than just delivering results. It will also ensure you get a healthy mix of exercises to keep your joints happy and your posture aligned. Workout classes on Gixo are as short as five minutes, and come in all different formats. Just think, in the amount of time it would take to pack your gym bag or make a pot of coffee, you could jump into a class on your phone and get a quick workout done.
Besides being effective, short workouts are a bit less overwhelming to get into. And if that makes you more willing to tackle them, then maybe that alone will be the key to your success. So next time you find yourself with a few moments to spare, get moving. You’ll be surprised how fitting exercise into your day starts to happen naturally. Just remember the key: keep it short and sweet — and do it often.
