The Quickie Workout: Save Time and Slim Down

With the busiest and most indulgent time of the year upon us, it’s easy to feel like there’s no time for taking care of ourselves and working out is usually the first thing to fall off the schedule. Save time and slim down with these quickie workout tips from Hilton Head Health!

Chris Varano, LOSEWell Fitness Coach, recommends integrating fitness into your daily schedule:

“If you can’t make it to the gym, there are plenty of easy ways to integrate exercise into your every day life. I do planks during TV commercials. Hold for a commercial and rest for a commercial. You don’t have to watch a clock and the time you hold varies every time. Sometimes my 7 lb. chihuahua sits on my back and ups the challenge. I also use him for shoulder presses and extra weight when I do crunches. Another idea is to do calf raises in line at the grocery, or walking lunges to the car.”

David Chesworth, Fitness Specialist, recommends his Wake Up & Workout routines!

Option 1:

This sequence, which you should repeat continuously for 10 minutes, gives you a full-body workout that blends cardio and muscular strength. Plus as David puts it, it “oxygenates your body and gets you ready for a good day… and a good shower.

• 10 Body Squats
• 5 Push-ups
• 10 Supermans

Option 2:

This next sequence helps to build core strength while amping up the cardio! Repeat 5 times at a fast pace.

• 20 Jumping Jax
• 20 Crunches
• 3 Burpees (or simply get up and down off the ground 3 times)

Option 3:

Tabata! Build your cardiovascular and muscular endurance with a fun, fast-paced workout! 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest 8 reps per exercise – each exercise should last for 4 minutes. Choose 3-5 moves for a 12-20 minute routine. Give yourself 60 seconds of rest before starting your next 4 min. Tabata exercise.

• Jumping Jax
• Push ups
• Body Squats
• Plank
• Burpees

Sample Exercise:

• 20 seconds Jumping Jax, 10 seconds rest​ (8x)
• 60 seconds REST
• 20 seconds Push ups, 10 seconds rest​ (8x)
• 60 seconds REST
• 20 seconds Squats, 10 seconds rest​ (8x)
• 60 seconds REST
• 20 seconds Plank, 10 seconds rest​​ (8x)
• 60 seconds REST
• 20 seconds Burpees, 10 seconds rest​ (8x)
• DONE!

Your Wellness Tip To-Go:

Want even more fitness tips from the experts at Hilton Head Health? Check out this 10-minute full-body workout video from David here!