Life’s busy, which can be a struggle when you’re trying to make healthy choices. We get it. Whether you’re driving your kids to soccer practice, working overtime on a big project, or just overwhelmed by daily duties, sometimes your workouts must take the back seat.
Missing workouts happens and its nothing to stress about, but if you’re looking for a way to fit a workout in your half hour lunch break or while your kids are playing at the park, you’ve come to the right place. These two workouts can be done in as little as 8 minutes and repeated 1-3 times per week.
HIIT
Get more done in less time with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The basic framework of HIIT is short periods of work at an all-out, high-intensity pace, followed by slightly longer active rest periods. The timing and ratios of work and rest periods can vary, but the key to getting the most out of your HIIT routine is to give all you’ve got during those periods of work.
Your HIIT routine can be performed on a variety of cardio machines, a stair climber, bike, or treadmill, for example, or simply sprint a set distance outside of the gym and rest on the walk back.
An example of a good HIIT routine is: 30 seconds sprint followed by 45 seconds active rest (walking or slowly jogging). Repeat this anywhere from 8-15 times. Work towards increasing your rounds by 1 each week.
Perform a HIIT routine 1-3 times each week depending on your fitness goals.
Tabata
Similar to HIIT, Tabata is interval training in which you perform an exercise at an all-out pace for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of low intensity recovery. This routine is repeated 8 times for a total of four minutes.
Tabata can be performed on cardio machines or with body weight exercises, such as burpees. For example, do as many burpees as you can in 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and then repeat for a total of four minutes. Once finished, follow the same format with a different exercise, such as box jumps.
Make sure to properly warm up your body before beginning any exercise program to help prevent injuries.
So embrace life’s moments, continue to work hard, and never miss a workout again – or do, that’s up to you. We are just here to help you live your best life, whatever that means to you.