When we're in a rush and have all sorts of pressures from work, family and social commitments it can be difficult to find the time to exercise. Fortunately, it is possible to get great results without spending hours at the gym, out running or attending classes that don't fit your busy schedule.
- Frequency is key, the more often you can train (even a few minutes helps), the better your results. At home you can exercise using nothing more elaborate than your kitchen floor space by doing a routine of squats, lunges, press ups (on your knees if full ones are too hard) and step ups onto a stair or step. Try performing each exercise for 30 seconds each, twice through giving you a total of four minutes of exercise. You'd be surprised at the results if you committ to doing this regularly when you don't have time for a more 'formal' workout.
- Try doing intervals rather than spending hours out running or on the cardio machines. A shorter, more intense burst of cardio (try 2-3 minutes) followed by a planned rest period can deliver similar benefits in minutes rather than hours of exercise.
- Make sure you're performing full body exercises. Squats, deadlifts, push ups and rows are all good choices. In a short space of time you can perform 3-4 challenging sets of 8-12 reps of these, which will generate a high metabolic demand and result in a greater number of calories burned during (and more importantly) after exercise.
Leighton, LR Fitness in Bath (07782) 333123 www.lrfitness.co.uk
