The benefits of regular exercise are well established: it can help you lose weight, tone your body, boost energy levels and improve moods. But getting into a fitness routine can seem daunting. It’s hard to commit to an hour workout when your day is packed with appointments, meetings and tasks. Luckily, short bursts of activity can give you similar health benefits to longer workouts, as long as you keep the intensity high.
So, what if you could fit a 10-minute home workout into your busy schedule? Many of the most popular fitness influencers on YouTube and Instagram produce short, snappy sessions that are ideal for beginners or those who struggle with time constraints. The best news? 10 minutes won’t feel like such a long haul once you get used to it.
There’s no shortage of options to choose from, but let’s take a look at some of the most popular workouts to try:
Founded by former British Army officer and fitness entrepreneur Sara Wyndham-Read, the Madfit channel is home to workouts for all shapes, abilities and experience levels. Many of her 10-minute workouts don’t require any equipment, and there are options for low-impact cardio if you have a sore knee or are worried about disturbing your downstairs neighbours. Her videos also include modification and low-impact alternatives for newbies, plus a range of upper-body and abs toning exercises for those with more experience.
Another trainer with an extensive online presence is Chloe Ting, who has racked up more than 10 million views for her workouts on YouTube. She has a number of 10-minute workouts on her channel, including standard HIIT sessions and some more sculpting workouts for the legs, bum and tum. Ting’s workouts use licensed music, which can be a welcome relief for those who find the silence of gym classes off-putting.
While these 10 minute workouts won’t fully prepare you to run a 5K or become a bodybuilder, they can provide the foundation for a healthier lifestyle and help you reach the NHS-recommended two hours of exercise per week. They can be a great way to get your foot in the door, and once you’ve stuck with them for a while, they may motivate you to push on and challenge yourself. Regular exercise is important for your mental health, too – checking that one more thing off your to-do list can give you a feeling of achievement and make you feel more positive about your day.
Milena Estêvão is a YouTuber passionate about sharing her experiences (challenges, successes and motivations) in the fitness activities she is involved in.
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