Tuesday, January 12, 2010 11:46 am
NO TIME, NO PROBLEM
Despite misconceptions, short-duration activities can be vigorous and useful for building strength.
By Brian Biagioli; Photography by Dirk Franke; Illustrations by Linda Richards; Training Consultant Stephanie Casebeer
Don’t have an hour to work out? Don’t sweat it. We’ll make you sweat just the same.
Despite the misconception that anything less than an hour for a workout is not worth doing, short-duration activities of even 10–15 minutes can be vigorous and useful for building strength, as long as the routine challenges muscle tissue.
Circuit training is one technique that can optimize the short-duration training concept because the exercises are done with only transitional rest intervals. The benefits go beyond anaerobic strength and endurance, as the body will experience improved metabolic fitness and flexibility when the programs are properly constructed.
Try this progressive model to make your next 20 minutes pack a punch, and add challenge in 10-minute increments.
Click our photo gallery to see a few of these exercises demonstrated by our 2009 Fittest Person of the Year winners. Read up on the rest of the exercises in the January/February 2010 issue of SOBeFiT Magazine.