Busy? Here's a 12 minute workout!

 (No time for the gym? Push that coffee table aside and work with what you have!)

 

We’re all busy. That’s for certain. Whether we have kids, grandkids, or no kids at all, we are all pretty good at always finding something else more important that needs the devotion of our time in place of exercise.

 

Sometimes we are legitimately busy.  I know I certainly have been. I currently try to keep my training time to a maximum of 3 hours a week. There are a lot of other things I am looking to accomplish right now, so three hours a week is what I think I can afford to commit to. I certainly make the most of that time and I know that if I use it wisely, I can still get great results for overall fitness. 

 

However, most of that time is spent lifting, which is pretty much my favorite thing. But I have been missing cardio. Getting my sweat on and huffing and puffing. Now, I know many of you may think that makes me a bit twisted, but my real [FIT] life’rs will be the first to tell you that my idea of “fun” is not normal to most.

 

(My part time job as a chauffeur keeps me busy, too.)

 

So, cardio has been on my mind.

 

Then yesterday, I read this great article by Greg Nuckols, and it was just what I needed to hear. Time to add just 1-2 sessions of cardio into my week. But my pact with myself is that I have to do it at home (no taking time to drive to a gym) and complete it in 30 minutes or less. 

 

This morning I had someone coming to the house. They were running late and I thought, what the heck! Let me get my cardio in. So I moved the coffee table aside, threw on some workout clothes, grabbed a kettlebell, and 12 mintues later I was sweaty and breathless and feeling quite proud of how cleverly I snuck that in.

 

One of the best things about working out at home? You’re already there and the shower amenities are just the way you like them. 

 

Do you have 12 minutes in your day? If you devoutly follow any tv series, or know all the minute details of the lives of all of your facebook friends, yet tell me “no”, YOU’RE LYING.

 

Push that coffee table aside and join me!

 

Here is today’s 12 minute workout:

 

Perform each of these 5 exercises in sequence with little to no rest between. 

Rest 2 minutes and repeat all 5 for one more round.

 

1. Squat thrusts  – 10 reps

 

 

To modify these, you can elevate your hands on chair or a low box. Watch here.

 

2. Squat jumps  – 10 reps

 

 To modify these, try them on a box. Watch here.

 

3. Turkish get ups – 3 per side

 

(Dean Somerset thinks that Turkish Get up’s make you awesome. I agree!! For his great article about the Turkish Get up, along with detailed instructions, and a how to video, Go here.)

 

4. Alternating high knee runs  – 20 per leg

 

 To modify these you can perform knee lifts. Watch here. 

 

5. Split jumps – 10 per side

 

 (2 years ago. Yes, these were done in my pj’s amidst laundry and vacuuming, and my then 6 year old was my cameraman.  Make time! )

 

To modify these, try alternating reverse lunges. Watch here.

 

Remember, after you’ve done all 5 exercises, rest 2 minutes before you do it again. Pay attention to your form and be sure to pick the variation that’s right for your current ability level.

 

Now get out there!

 

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Jeannine Trimboli, CEO, real [FIT] life