Think you have to work out for a solid hour to see results? Always telling yourself you have no time to exercise? Then listen up. It turns out that people who "exercise snack" - fitting in bite-size workouts more frequently - are better able to stay motivated and fitter in the long term than those who do longer but fewer workouts*.
According to the Human Performance Institute, working out at high intensity for just seven minutes significantly improves muscular strength and cardio fitness, which is great for your heart and lungs. What's more, it can do you more good than one epic gym session a week.
Cecilia Harris, founder of fitness app Results Wellness Lifestyle, says the biggest mistake people make is working out for too long. "Unfortunately, people have been led to believe they have to exercise for an hour or attend a 45-minute class for their exercise to be 'worth it', but this simply isn't the case," she says. "As soon as people realise a seven-minute workout is enough to give them huge benefits to their health, the better the results they get."
Why seven-minute workouts really work
We all know that finding the motivation to exercise isn't easy, and 'I don't have time' can often be a huge mental barrier. Life coach Jeff Spires says when you are able to convince yourself that you do have time, it can be a game-changer.
"When you think you need to commit to an hour or even 30 minutes of your day to exercise, it can feel overwhelming," he explains. "But seven minutes? Your brain will accept that is reasonable because, let's face it, we can all put aside seven minutes in a day."
They help to increase motivation
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PRETTY WOMAN
Dial up the joy with a mood-boosting self-care session done in the privacy of your own home. It’s a blissful way to banish the winter blues.
Hitting a nerve
Regulating the vagus nerve with its links to depression, anxiety, arthritis and diabetes could aid physical and mental wellbeing.
The unseen Rovals
Candid, behind the scenes and neverbefore-seen images of the royal family have been released for a new exhibition.
Great read
In novels and life - there's power in the words left unsaid.
Winter dinner winners
Looking for some thrifty inspiration for weeknight dinners? Try our tasty line-up of budget-concious recipes that are bound to please everyone at the table.
Winter baking with apples and pears
Celebrate the season of apples and pears with these sweet bakes that will keep the cold weather blues away.
The wines and lines mums
Once only associated with glamorous A-listers, cocaine is now prevalent with the soccer-mum set - as likely to be imbibed at a school fundraiser as a nightclub. The Weekly looks inside this illegal, addictive, rising trend.
Former ballerina'sBATTLE with BODY IMAGE
Auckland author Sacha Jones reveals how dancing led her to develop an eating disorder and why she's now on a mission to educate other women.
MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN
When Alexei Navalny died in a brutal Arctic prison, Vladimir Putin thought he had triumphed over his most formidable opponent. Until three courageous women - Alexei's mother, wife and daughter - took up his fight for freedom.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START
Responsible for keeping the likes of Jane Fonda and Jamie Lee Curtis in shape, Malin Svensson is on a mission to motivate those in midlife to move more.
