It’s the new year and time to get back into a fitness routine. If it all sounds a bit too much consider exercise snacking, bite size workouts which fits in with your lifestyle.
Not exercising but want to keep up your fitness levels? Whether it’s from a lack of motivation or a tight schedule, a regular exercise routine can sometimes mean too much commitment. This is where time efficient ‘exercise snacking’ comes in.
Exercise snacking is a fitness trend that’s gaining in popularity, as it fits into a tight schedule, so even the busiest of people can incorporate exercise into their day. Instead of one long workout, the focus is on short bursts of activity throughout the day, which can be performed anywhere from your home, to the office or outdoors, without the need for equipment or a gym. Shorter workout sessions also reduce the mental barrier to starting exercise.
Moreover, a study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that breaking up physical activity into shorter sessions throughout the day led to significant improvements in cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity and overall fitness levels.
The best way to begin is to look for times in your day when you can fit in a short burst of activity. It could be before breakfast, during your work break, or after you drop the kids off at school. Start with one or two sessions 5-10 minute sessions a day and then build it up. Select exercises you enjoy to make it easier, whether that’s yoga, running or bodyweight. Whatever you’re doing, consistency is the key, so set reminders on your phone.
Popular exercise snacking routines are;
- In the morning try a 10-minute HIIT workout performed for 30 seconds each, with a short rest in between. For short and intense HIIT workouts head to SurfGirl Premium.
- Try 5-10 minutes walking up and down the stairs a few times a day, rather than using a lift to get in some quick cardio.
- Do a daily 10-minute run at lunchtime to boost your energy levels.
- Deskercises – try 5-10 minutes of simple exercises like seated leg raises, desk push ups or chair squats during work breaks.
- In the evening try a 15 minute bodyweight circuit combining exercises like push ups, squats, planks and lunges, which target multiple muscle groups.
Whether you’re aiming to improve your fitness, boost your metabolism, or enhance your wellbeing, exercise snacking offers a flexible and effective solution to help you achieve your fitness goals, as well as lays the foundations for establishing a longer exercise plan.
Head to SurfGirl Premium this month for 15 minute bite-sized fitness workouts every day to boost your surf fitness.
