Make Time for the 10-Minute Sweat Session

Why Are 10 Minute Workouts Taking Over?

10 minute or less blasts of movement are attracting many different types of people, and why wouldn’t it be?  Time is so precious to everyone, and lack of it is the number one excuse for not being active.  People have begun to realise that some movement is better than none. Traditional workouts in the gym can last up to an hour and people have just stopped bothering as they hate the thought of pushing themselves for that long, they don’t know what to do, and simply don’t have the time.

In 10 minutes you are still able to get your heart pounding, blood flowing and a rush of endorphins at the end.

The Benefits

Getting your heart pumping faster means you will be reducing your risk of heart disease.  More blood flows to your brain promoting the production of new brain cells. Therefore, brain power and concentration is improved. And that amazing sense of accomplishment at the end of the session that takes you through the day will be there from that first hit of endorphins.

Movement, no matter how long, is great for stress and energy levels.  A recent study conducted by Boston University concluded that some exercise is better than nothing.

Try These 10-Minute Workouts

A 10 minute session I like to do is an AMRAP (as many rounds as possible).  All you need is to set your phone timer for 10 minutes create a small circuit for yourself and complete as many rounds as you can before the buzzer!

Give this circuit a go:

• 10 burpees
• 10 squat jumps
• 10 push-ups
• 10 sit-ups

All moves I am sure you are familiar with so you will be able to go hard and fast!

Another common one is Tabata Training, an interval workout based on 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest, repeated 8 times.  This will only take you 4 minutes!  Enough time to get in a little warm-up, 2 sets of Tabata and a quick stretch at the end.

I like to stick to one movement per Tabata or alternate between 2.  For example lunge jumps and plank jumps (in a plank position on your hands jumping both feet at the same time in and out towards your hands).

All these moves are body weight so you can do them anywhere!  Now that time isn’t an excuse, neither is access to equipment!

Dancing to your favourite track on the radio, running up the steps at the train station or walking your dog all count towards your daily movement time. I encourage you to find more opportunities to move everyday!