Try These 10-Minute Movement Snacks

Schedules get hectic this time of year, whether you’re spending more time at holiday parties, prepping for family gatherings, or trying to meet a last-minute deadline. It always seems like there’s just not enough time to accomplish everything you need to do before the end of the year. So fitting in an hour-long workout? Nearly impossible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in some form of movement between all those obligations.

Enter: movement “snacks” or short bouts of exercise that last, say, 10 minutes each—and a 14-day workout challenge that will get you in the mindset of moving consistently, even if not for long.

Research backs up the benefits of short bursts of activity, particularly when it comes to breaking up your time spent sedentary. One study found that just five minutes of exercise can lead to better blood flow to the brain, helping improve your focus, while other research found that batches of moderate-intensity activity (even just two minutes of bodyweight squats) can support muscle building. The World Health Organization’s 2020 update on activity guidelines even mention that activity breaks of 10 minutes or less can provide protection against early death. And finally, recent research from the University of Sydney suggests that a quick one-minute blast of vigorous-intensity movement can help you ward off all-cause, cancer-related, and cardiovascular disease-related mortality.

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With that in mind, we designed this 14-day workout challenge to help you maintain your fitness and get those movement snacks in each day during the holidays. Read on to find out exactly how each workout can benefit you, your riding, and your health—plus, how to adjust them so that you only need to set aside approximately 10 minutes.


14 day workout challenge, 10 minutes a day

Tom Messina

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Week 1

Day 1: 10-Minute Full-Body Workout

This workout

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These are the ideal brief 10-minute exercises

It would have been so considerably a lot easier to get suit by just lying on your couch, would not it? But we know all good factors arrive with perseverance and self-control, and the exact can be explained in situation of having healthy.

Luckily, there are many styles of exercises you can pick from, based on your human body sort and demands. Nonetheless, if you are on a tight routine, small exercise routines can however make improvements to your stamina, endurance and energy. Additionally, it will also give you the important dose of pleased hormones. Make absolutely sure to extend in advance of and soon after your training schedule and if you have any healthcare challenges, check with your health care provider prior to taking on these self exercises.

The finest 10-moment workout routines you can do at property

Cardio work out

Graphic: Courtesy Sergio Pedemonte/Unsplash

Time to get the job done your heart and lungs with a bunch of movements that are going to get these endorphins flowing. Rocket jumps, star jumps, squats, faucet backs and burpees are some exercise routines you can involve in your 10-moment cardio exercise. If you very own a skipping rope, you can replace any of these exercise routines with a one particular-minute skipping session.

To do a rocket soar, stand straight with your ft shoulder-width aside. Bend your legs and spot your arms on your thighs. Now jump as significant as you can and land carefully.

To do a star leap, stand straight with your toes a bit aside and squat to contact your ankles. Soar high, preserving your arms and legs stretched out to resemble the shape of a star. Land gently in the 1st place.

For squats, you want to stand straight and keep your ft shoulder-width apart.

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Don’t feel like running? Here’s a 10-minute HIIT walking workout

If you aren’t a big fan of running, are just getting back into the swing of cardio or need to give your joints a break from jogging, walking is a great alternative.

Many people assume walking is a leisurely activity — and it can be. But you also can make it a high-intensity workout by adding intervals.

High intensity interval training has been shown to reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular fitness. These workouts typically alternate between high and low-intensity exercise, which helps boost metabolism and calorie burn (even after the workout is over). You can easily incorporate this style of exercise into your walk by mixing up your pace.

Follow this routine to turn your walk into a HIIT workout. Complete this workout a few times a week and when you feel it becoming easier, increase the amount of time you spend in each interval or begin with a quicker pace.

10-minute HIIT walking routine

Be sure to start with a quick warmup of dynamic stretches, like we do in this warm-up routine.

  • 0-4 minutes: Maintain a steady pace. You probably have a walking pace that you’re used to and that’s a great way to kick off your workout. During this interval, feel free to relax and focus on your breathing, taking in your surroundings and preparing mentally for the next interval. Maintain this pace for 4 minutes before moving on.
  • 4-6 minutes: Pick up the pace. After 4 minutes of walking at a comfortable pace, it’s time to build up your momentum to a brisk walk. Remember to pump your arms and get your body involved. Keep your head up and look forward without slouching your shoulders or back. Engage your abdominals while keeping your back straight and roll your feet from heel to toe. Maintain this
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