Welcome back to this week’s edition of 2-Minute Tuesdays where we are talking about one exercise topic for two minutes and giving you three reasons why you should follow our advice. This week, we are talking to those of you who are on a time crunch, who have 20 minutes or less to workout. How can you master the 20-minute workout?
1) Vary Your Workout Intensity
Tip number one – even if you only have 20 minutes to workout, you have to be varying your workout intensity. Some days have to be more intense. Other days should be easier, just like if you had an entire hour to workout.
Action Step: Look at your week ahead and figure out the days when you will be able to get harder workouts in and when you will have to stick to a lighter workout. Having this planned ahead of time can help to make sure you are getting both hard and easier workouts in.
Related: 3 Exercise Tips If You Don’t Like Going To The Gym
2) Put An Emphasis On Strength Training
Tip number two – you have to put an emphasis on strength training. Going for a 20 minute walk can be great, but you get SO much more bang for your buck if you do some strength training. Specifically, if you can really focus on doing controlled contractions or even isometric exercises, you can get a high-quality workout in in a very short period of time.
Action Step: When you are planning your workouts for the week, make sure to include at least two days of resistance training. This is the bare minimum that you should be doing each week in order to help maintain your strength and muscle function.
Related: On a time budget? Exercise with these three tips.
3) Consistency Is The Most Potent Piece Of Exercise
Tip number three – remember that consistency is the most potent piece of exercise. If you are able to get in 20 minutes of exercise four days each week, you are on the path to improved physical health and function. Likewise, if you only have 20 minutes to workout, don’t skip your workout just because of the time crunch!
Action Step: An imperfect exercise program done consistently will glean you far better results than a perfect program done inconsistently. If you have 20 minutes to workout, make the most of it!
