Our lives can get pretty busy—so busy that it seems like there simply isn’t enough time to get in a good workout. Even during quarantine, the stress of everything can make you feel like there isn’t mental space or time to workout. It’s possible you’ve never considered working out for only five minutes. It doesn’t sound like enough time to make a difference. But contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go slog it out at the gym for 30 or 45 minutes.
Working out for even just 5 minutes can bring health benefits, from upping your calorie burn and improving your mood, to lowering your risk of certain diseases and even adding years on to your life. A study from the University of Utah shows that all those little bits and pieces of exercise you do throughout the day can add up to something big. In fact, even a single “brisk” minute of moving can have a noticeable impact.
So, how many calories can you burn during a five-minute workout? It depends on how hard you work. Studies show that you can burn up to 20 calories per minute with a high-intensity interval workout. But the real benefit comes after the workout is complete. An intense five-minute workout can help you burn more fat all day as you experience the “afterburn effect” for up to 48 hours after an intense workout.
Benefits of regular exercise include everything from losing weight to getting better sleep to increasing energy levels. Keeping fit can also help tremendously with your self-confidence. So, shouldn’t anything count toward this goal?
This all sounds good, but you may feel like finding even five minutes to exercise is impossible with your busy schedule. Or maybe when you finally do get some downtime, you just want to rest. Nobody says staying fit is easy, but it doesn’t have to be impossible either. We’ve found a 5-minute workout from The Fitologists that you can do right now, no matter where you are. All you need is space and 5 minutes.
Keep it consistent for the best results. After a while, you may tweak your routine just enough that more movement naturally fits into your day. There are many ways to add movement to your day, from rebounding, to dancing, even walking. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and are out of shape, you can improve your general fitness with 5-minute workouts. But if you want a major change, that will require more time, effort, and dedication. A 5 -minute workout is a great way for quick and steady improvement. Be sure to check out The Fitologists Youtube page for more videos and tips to stay fit!