Do This for Four Minutes in the Morning

Have you put off exercise for yet another day? And we’re only two weeks into the new year.

One of the most common reasons people give for avoiding the gym is a lack of time. The following workout, however, allows no room for excuses. It includes two moves you can do anywhere, anytime. It takes just four minutes.

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Some may not believe that only four minutes of an intense full-body workout will do much — while others disagree.

“This is similar to a Tabata circuit, which has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness when performed regularly,” said Alex McBrairty, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based personal trainer and owner of A-Team Fitness. “Therefore, if one were to complete this short circuit regularly throughout the week, most people would likely see benefit.”

“Even completing this short circuit sporadically could help one gain other benefits from physical activity, such as stress relief or even a boosted immune system,” said one trainer.

Done only sporadically, this circuit most likely won’t lead to a ton of improvement. That said, McBrairty and others agree that some activity is better than no activity.

“Even completing this short circuit sporadically could help one gain other benefits from physical activity, such as stress relief or even a boosted immune system. Additionally, new research is indicating that even minimal amounts of exercise can help reduce the risk of premature death,” McBrairty told LifeZette.

It’s important, he said, to enjoy whatever exercise you’re doing in order to maximize your chances of sticking with the program. A short circuit like this could help make things more exciting again — and the four minutes commitment makes the circuit easily doable for any schedule.

“Without a doubt, any change to bump up your routine and elevate your heart rate is a definite plus to improve your fitness level,” said Christine King, a medical exercise specialist and founder and CEO of Your Best Fit Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida.

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“Believe that every movement makes a difference. Initially you don’t realize why; however, after time you think to yourself, ‘Well, this 30 seconds is a snap — what if I added another 30-second movement? What would that do for me?'” King said. “The beat goes on and on and on. Before you know it, you’re 10 minutes in and you’ve burned more calories than most people in America!”