How to Get Fit in 10 Minutes a Day
Understand how 10-minute routines work., Exercise the maximum number of muscles at a time., Go for high intensity exercises., Keep any necessary portable equipment with you., Take the stairs., Make other lifestyle changes., Don't let travel ruin...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Understand how 10-minute routines work.
It's important to know that this exercise style isn't ideal, but it's better than not exercising at all.If you only have 10 minutes to spare, you'll need to make sure that your workout is as efficient as possible.
While aerobic exercises are important for heart health, they are generally less efficient at burning calories than exercises that focus on building strength.
Keep in mind that it's still better for fitness and weight loss to exercise more often.
The recommended amount of exercise for cardiovascular health is 30 minutes a day, five days a week.Be creative.
An important aspect of finding a few minutes to exercise is to seize all opportunities that come your way. -
Step 2: Exercise the maximum number of muscles at a time.
Minimize the number of exercises that work out only one or two muscle groups at a time.
For maximum efficiency, focus on techniques that use as much of your body as possible.
You can also combine two simple single-target exercises and do them simultaneously.
For example, never do leg or arm lifts on their own.
Combining them into one efficient, fluid motion will let you cut your workout time in half. , For short workout routines to be effective, they must manage to fit in the same amount of effort as a longer workout in a shorter period of time.
The most effective way to do this is through high intensity interval training where exercise is done in brief, intense bursts.
For example, instead of a long strength-training session devoted to triceps, do a quick set of close-grip diamond pushups.
Diamond pushups are a quick, high intensity workoutthat activate the triceps and pectorals to a much greater degree compared to traditional wide-grip pushups.In addition to burning fat, high intensity interval training when done consistently can improve cardiovascular fitness.High intensity interval training has also been shown to reduce blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes and to improve liver function., When you don't have time to hit the gym, make wherever you are into an exercise center.
Be ready to catch those 10 minutes of exercise whenever you can.
Keep a light-weight yoga mat in your work bag or car.
That way, you will be able to do floor exercises anywhere.
Keep a set of hand weights both at home and at the office.
If you don't happen to have a set of weights handy, you can turn any heavy object with a handle into an improvised hand weight.
Resistance bands are compact enough to fit inside even the smallest purses.
Use these tools to train anywhere when you're on the go. , While going about your day, whenever you have the choice between taking the stairs and an elevator or escalator, get in a few minutes of high intensity exercise by choosing the stairs.Additionally, while not everyone can afford a stair climbing machine at home, most have access to a few flights of stairs.
Try incorporating a few minutes of running up and down stairs into your daily planned workout.
You can also use stairs as an improvised aerobic step.
Use the bottom few stairs to do side-step ups, incline pushups, and toe taps. , You are likely not going to get fit with exercise alone, especially with just 10 minutes a day.
Make sure all other aspects of your life are conducive to staying in shape.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Control portion sizes, and, if you're trying to lose weight, make sure you're taking in less calories than you're using up.
Eat plenty of all types of vegetables, especially green leafy ones.
When eating fruit, go for fresh produce rather than preserved versions which often contain added sugar.
At least half of the grains you consume should be whole grains.
Get plenty of protein from low-fat dairy and lean meat like chicken and fish.
Limit added sugar to 10 percent or less of your daily caloric intake.Stay hydrated.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no set-in-stone amount of water you should drink each day.
This will vary by your activity level, climate, and the presence of certain health conditions.
You are generally getting enough water if you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or a light yellow.
If not, drink more water to reach proper hydration levels and try to drink this amount every day.
Also, you should drink water before, during, and immediately after exercise.Limit alcohol consumption.
If you drink, drink in moderation.
To avoid the ill effects of alcohol, men should limit their daily intake to two drinks per day, while women should have only one.Quit smoking.
Or, if you don't smoke, don't start.
Regular tobacco smoking damages your heart and lungs, making it more difficult to exercise., For these quick workouts to achieve results, you must commit to doing them every day.
However, it's not always practical to pack a set of hand weights in your luggage.
If you don't go to the gym regularly because you frequently travel for work, keep yourself from getting out of shape by finding a routine you can do on the go.
Pack a resistance band in your suitcase so you can exercise even when staying at hotels without fitness centers., With the short duration of a 10-minute workout you may forget to give your body what it needs.
This can lead to sore muscles and discourage you from achieving your fitness goals.
Always be sure to take in enough protein when doing these routines.
Try to time your workout so that you can relax with a hot shower not long after. -
Step 3: Go for high intensity exercises.
-
Step 4: Keep any necessary portable equipment with you.
-
Step 5: Take the stairs.
-
Step 6: Make other lifestyle changes.
-
Step 7: Don't let travel ruin your routine.
-
Step 8: Don't forget to relax and recover after exercise.
Detailed Guide
It's important to know that this exercise style isn't ideal, but it's better than not exercising at all.If you only have 10 minutes to spare, you'll need to make sure that your workout is as efficient as possible.
While aerobic exercises are important for heart health, they are generally less efficient at burning calories than exercises that focus on building strength.
Keep in mind that it's still better for fitness and weight loss to exercise more often.
The recommended amount of exercise for cardiovascular health is 30 minutes a day, five days a week.Be creative.
An important aspect of finding a few minutes to exercise is to seize all opportunities that come your way.
Minimize the number of exercises that work out only one or two muscle groups at a time.
For maximum efficiency, focus on techniques that use as much of your body as possible.
You can also combine two simple single-target exercises and do them simultaneously.
For example, never do leg or arm lifts on their own.
Combining them into one efficient, fluid motion will let you cut your workout time in half. , For short workout routines to be effective, they must manage to fit in the same amount of effort as a longer workout in a shorter period of time.
The most effective way to do this is through high intensity interval training where exercise is done in brief, intense bursts.
For example, instead of a long strength-training session devoted to triceps, do a quick set of close-grip diamond pushups.
Diamond pushups are a quick, high intensity workoutthat activate the triceps and pectorals to a much greater degree compared to traditional wide-grip pushups.In addition to burning fat, high intensity interval training when done consistently can improve cardiovascular fitness.High intensity interval training has also been shown to reduce blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes and to improve liver function., When you don't have time to hit the gym, make wherever you are into an exercise center.
Be ready to catch those 10 minutes of exercise whenever you can.
Keep a light-weight yoga mat in your work bag or car.
That way, you will be able to do floor exercises anywhere.
Keep a set of hand weights both at home and at the office.
If you don't happen to have a set of weights handy, you can turn any heavy object with a handle into an improvised hand weight.
Resistance bands are compact enough to fit inside even the smallest purses.
Use these tools to train anywhere when you're on the go. , While going about your day, whenever you have the choice between taking the stairs and an elevator or escalator, get in a few minutes of high intensity exercise by choosing the stairs.Additionally, while not everyone can afford a stair climbing machine at home, most have access to a few flights of stairs.
Try incorporating a few minutes of running up and down stairs into your daily planned workout.
You can also use stairs as an improvised aerobic step.
Use the bottom few stairs to do side-step ups, incline pushups, and toe taps. , You are likely not going to get fit with exercise alone, especially with just 10 minutes a day.
Make sure all other aspects of your life are conducive to staying in shape.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Control portion sizes, and, if you're trying to lose weight, make sure you're taking in less calories than you're using up.
Eat plenty of all types of vegetables, especially green leafy ones.
When eating fruit, go for fresh produce rather than preserved versions which often contain added sugar.
At least half of the grains you consume should be whole grains.
Get plenty of protein from low-fat dairy and lean meat like chicken and fish.
Limit added sugar to 10 percent or less of your daily caloric intake.Stay hydrated.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no set-in-stone amount of water you should drink each day.
This will vary by your activity level, climate, and the presence of certain health conditions.
You are generally getting enough water if you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or a light yellow.
If not, drink more water to reach proper hydration levels and try to drink this amount every day.
Also, you should drink water before, during, and immediately after exercise.Limit alcohol consumption.
If you drink, drink in moderation.
To avoid the ill effects of alcohol, men should limit their daily intake to two drinks per day, while women should have only one.Quit smoking.
Or, if you don't smoke, don't start.
Regular tobacco smoking damages your heart and lungs, making it more difficult to exercise., For these quick workouts to achieve results, you must commit to doing them every day.
However, it's not always practical to pack a set of hand weights in your luggage.
If you don't go to the gym regularly because you frequently travel for work, keep yourself from getting out of shape by finding a routine you can do on the go.
Pack a resistance band in your suitcase so you can exercise even when staying at hotels without fitness centers., With the short duration of a 10-minute workout you may forget to give your body what it needs.
This can lead to sore muscles and discourage you from achieving your fitness goals.
Always be sure to take in enough protein when doing these routines.
Try to time your workout so that you can relax with a hot shower not long after.
About the Author
Michelle Cox
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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