5 Quick Workouts to Squeeze into Your Schedule

5 Quick Workouts to Squeeze into Your Schedule

It’s way too easy to let the stress of a busy schedule get to you and just give up on your health and wellness habits. But not so fast! You can still squeeze a workout into the little free time you have—you just have to get creative. Here are five ways to make sure you stay active throughout the year:

1. Crunch during commercials.

There are so many must-see television shows and movies right now, so why not use the downtime to focus on strengthening your abdominal muscles? Do little bursts of crunches (sets of 25 at a time) whenever a commercial break hits. The stronger core will help improve your balance and stability, ultimately making it easier to reach your fitness goals. To mix things up a bit, try working in some different kinds of crunches or any other activities that get you moving during commercials.

2. Do quick interval training.

Completing a circuit workout may sound intimidating, but it just means picking a handful of moves, doing them in order and repeating the cycle a few times. When you have 15 minutes to spare—like while dinner is in the oven or you’re waiting for a load of laundry to finish—throw on your gym shoes and try this ABC workout or the following workout:

• 25 squats
• 20 push ups
• 15 Single Leg Hip Thrusts per leg

Keep repeating the moves in order for 15 minutes, resting between rounds as needed.

3. Desk-exercise!

There are lots of easy, quick things you can do to get some fitness in at work. Take a brisk 15-minute walk before you eat lunch, choose the stairs over the elevator, practice wall sits while waiting for a conference call to start and more.

4. Get in a workout before starting your day.

Take six minutes to exercise before you shower in the morning and you’ll be starting the day on a fit foot. Just go through the following routine twice to target your lower body, core and upper body.

• 15 squats
• 15 push ups
• Plank for 30 seconds
• 12 bicycle crunches

5. Do bodyweight exercises (anywhere).

Bodyweight movements rely on your own body to strengthen muscles as opposed to using dumbbells or weights (a push up is the perfect example). The best part about them is they require no equipment and you can do the moves wherever you are, like a corner of your living room or the guest room at your sister’s house.