In A Rush? These Exercises Are Short In Time But Are Still Equal To The Overall Day Workout

If you’re struggling to find the time to move your body, a new study suggests that just a minute of exercise counterbalances up to 14 minutes of inactivity. That means you don’t have to run 10 miles after a long day of working on the computer—just 5 minutes of “moderate-vigorous physical activity” can offset an hour of sedentary behavior.

Using cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) and data from fitness wearables worn for a week, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine examined the changes in fitness levels in more than 2,000 participants. The research found the more time people spent on exercise, like walking and running, and less time sitting, the better their overall fitness levels became. Even more impressive, the study found that every minute of heart-rate boosting exercise participants endured equated to about three minutes of walking and counteracted about 1/4 hour of time sitting or standing still.

“By establishing the relationship between different forms of habitual physical activity and detailed fitness measures, we hope that our study will provide important information that can ultimately be used to improve physical fitness and overall health across the life course,” said study co-author and cardiologist.

All those sedentary hours you spend catching up on emails and working in your makeshift home office can be offset with a few minutes of activity each day. Quick-and-dirty exercise, like a vigorous Pilates workout or a speedy core blast, gives your body a much-needed boost.

Additionally, the study found fitness played a role in elevating general physical health. While the methodology studied the ties between physical activity and fitness levels specifically, research along the way found that exercise also helped lower risk of serious health issues, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer. “Therefore, improved understanding of methods to improve fitness would be expected to have broad implications for improved health,” said Doctor.

Below, click play on five easy workouts you can do at home when you’re short on time.

Consider Doing These Exercises If You Are Short In Time That Is Equal To The Overall Day Workout

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1. 5-minute kettlebell core workout

Blast your abs and obliques in just five minutes with this kettlebell core workout. Between the Russian twists, weighted sit-ups, and leg lifts, you’ll be feeling the burn in practically no time at all.

2. 10-minute full body workout

The arms, shoulders, legs, and glutes, all work during this 10-minute workout. The surprising fact is that almost all of these workouts require no equipment thus making them suitable for all.

3. 10-minute dancer arms workout

Definitely try this workout if you want to better your wrists, biceps, and triceps as typing all day on a computer is not beneficial for your arms.

4. 5 minute HIIT workout

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When it comes to HIIT, it doesn’t take much to break a sweat. This hardcore HIIT session is just five minutes, but don’t let that fool you—it’s hardcore, packing in all the moves with a quick burst of energy.

5. 10-minute leg and core workout

Your abs, glutes, and thighs will feel the burn during this 10 minutes lower body workout. You’ll move through a 10-move series using just your body weight for serious results at a fraction of your normal workout time.

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