A short workout is a 10-30 minute exercise routine designed to assist a person in becoming more limber, in better cardio shape, and/or stronger. Nearly anyone can squeeze in 10 to 30 minutes in their day. A routine that lasts 30 minutes or less can provide significant health and fitness benefits, and many surveys today indicate that fitness benefits begin to decrease after 30 minutes of continuous exercise. Many believe that short bursts of high intensity exercise are the key to the success of short workouts. High intensity is relative, however, and many folks just starting a fitness routine should ease into the program. Checking with your doctor before beginning a workout regimen is a very good idea.
Interval Training and Short Workouts
Short workout interval training can be performed in any aerobic or resistance workout program, and shortens the workout time. Interval training is measured and timed intervals of more intensive exercise, and slower, less intensive exercise. Cardio exercises lend themselves well to interval training especially in short workouts. Body weight exercises, such as calisthenics, push ups, pull ups, and stepping, can also be performed in high and low intensity intervals.
Workout Program Variety
When determining what home, short workout program might be best for you, keep in mind that using a program that has some variety will keep you interested and will keep you coming back for more. Don't be afraid to change your program often. Fortunately, there are programs that do this for you and provide you with nutrition guides to get you to your goals as opposed to the always disappearing pill, potion, and powder programs. These company's promise the world in a glass, then seem to suddenly disappear (go out of business).
Remember that even if you don't have enough time to complete a short workout, any exercise is better than nothing.
The Physiology of Short Duration Exercise
Researchers published in the BMJ Open, discovered that the secret to fitness with short workouts is sweat. They researched 10,000 people in Denmark and found that breaking a sweat while participating in short duration workouts could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (a cluster of risk factors for diabetes that include things like belly fat and high blood pressure) by up to 50 percent. Casual walking for more than an hour didn't have much of an effect. They determined that when it comes to heart disease, diabetes and obesity, the best advice is, if in doubt, sweat it out.
Is Your Exercise Program Working?
If you have been going to the gym regularly or sporadically, or have been walking and look in the mirror and still see the same you, then change is needed. You already know this but you don't know what to do. The answer is simple. Just Start.
Short workouts consist of 10 to 30 minute programs consisting of stretching (Yoga), Cardio, or resistance exercise. Utilizing all 3 types is best but one can easily emphasize just one type. Many experts today believe that reach the point of diminishing returns after the 30 minute timeframe.