6 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Short Workouts For Busy People

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Life can get so busy sometimes, it’s no wonder that finding time to workout is so hard! When you are rushing around at work all day, dealing with stress, commuting, spending time with family, and all the other things you need to do, it is nearly impossible to get to the gym!

But what if I told you that you didn’t need to go to the gym at all? What if you could get a great workout at home (or wherever you want) in a short amount of time?

Keep reading to learn the benefits of short workouts and how you can fit exercise into a busy schedule. 

Benefits of short workouts 

When you think of a short workout what comes to mind? To me, I think of something under 30 minutes. There are people out there who will tell you that you won’t see any progress from a short workout. They might tell you that you NEED to spend 30 minutes or more exercising, you NEED you to lift weights in a gym, and you NEED to workout every day. Those people are wrong! 

When you are short on time 30 minutes or more can be too long. You need something quick that you can fit into your crazy schedule and something that will still help you get and stay healthy. Both of those things are totally possible. 

Here are 6 benefits of short workouts

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1. You can burn more calories in a shorter time 

The first thing you need to know about short workouts is that short does not mean easy. There are many high-intensity workouts you can do that will burn just as many calories in 15-20 minutes than one hour at the gym! 

The reason for this is that a short high-intensity workout is more time effective. You are taking fewer breaks and keeping your heart rate up the whole time versus when you spend a longer amount of time working out but at a lower intensity and with more breaks. 

2. They improve your health

No one is ever going to tell you that a 15-minute workout is bad for your health. I am a strong believer in the motto “something is better than nothing” which gets me through basically all my workouts. By moving your body you are doing yourself a service! Whether you go for a walk, do yoga, do a 15-minute HIIT workout… you are improving your health every time you move! 

Working out for just a short amount of time can even lessen your food cravings which in turn helps you live a healthier lifestyle! 

3. They improve your mental health 

There are many studies that show working out improves mental health. The quick and easy explanation is that when you exercise, chemicals are released in your brain (dopamine and serotonin) which make you feel good and improve your mood. 

There is also some evidence that exercise can improve your brain function (memory, cognition, growth of new neurons), leading to overall improved health and mental health. 

4. Helps build healthy habits 

Short workouts can help you build healthy habits because it’s easier to fit in a 20-minute workout than a full hour at the gym. If it’s easier to do you will be more likely to do it and therefore, create a habit of it! 

5. You can create a sustainable routine 

Just like building healthy habits, engaging in shorter workouts can lead to having a more sustainable routine. It is likely more doable to workout 5 days a week when the workouts are under 30 minutes. If you choose to do the workouts at home you are making it even easier! 

Sustainability is one of the most important aspects of fitness. It’s really not ideal to do one really long and challenging workout and then not do it again for 2 weeks. If doing a short workout is going to allow you to stay consistent and keep working out in your daily routine then that is the best way to go. 

6. It gives you a chance to try new things 

Something fun about short workouts is that you can get a quick look into different types of exercise. If you’ve never tried kickboxing before it might be kind of daunting and stressful to jump into a 45-minute class. However, you could do a 15-minute workout on YouTube from the comfort of your own home and give it a go. The next day you could try yoga. The next day you could try HIIT. Yes, you could do this with longer workouts, but it’s a big commitment! Shorter workouts give you the flexibility to try new things!

How to fit exercise into a busy schedule 

You won’t always be motivated to exercise even if the workout is short. Life gets busy and you get tired! However, with the right planning, you can still get those workouts in even when you’re busy. Fitting anything into a busy schedule is really all about strategy! You have the time somewhere, it’s just finding it that can be difficult. 

Schedule your workout in your planner 

Just like any other important appointment, schedule your workouts! This way you have it fit into your day perfectly. You won’t be able to say you don’t have time because it has a spot on your calendar already. 

Set out your workout clothes 

I like to set out my clothes for the next day so I don’t have to think about what to wear. Do this with your workout clothes too! It’s easy to make excuses not to workout when you have to take extra steps to do it (like picking an outfit). Get out your clothes the day before or in the morning so it’s quick and easy later! 

Make it simple 

However, if you decide to get your workout in, make it super simple. If you plan on going to the gym, join the most convenient one. If you plan on working out at home, know what you want to do before you start (youtube videos are my favorite). The simpler the better because the more thought and effort you need to put in the less likely it’s going to happen. 

Types of workouts to try 

When you are doing shorter workouts you want to try to get the most bang for your buck. A lot of the time that means exercises that get your heart rate up and use your biggest muscle groups. 

Exercises like cardio, HIIT, Tabata, strength training, cycling, or swimming are great options. They all have the ability to raise your heart rate quickly, can be quite intense, and allow for full-body movement! 

In summary of The Benefits of Short Workouts

You don’t need to workout for hours every day to make progress and live a healthy lifestyle.

There are many benefits of short workouts such as improving your health, releasing “happy chemicals” in your brain, creating sustainable routines, and more.

When you are busy and have limited time it’s hard to fit in any form of exercise so finding short and effective ways to workout is a must!

What do you think about the benefits of short workouts? Let us know in the comments below!