Many women can attest to the fact that — no matter how hard they try — there simply isn't enough time to check off everything on their regular to-do lists, from starting off the day with a healthy breakfast to squeezing in a quick daily workout (and everything in between). But for everyone out there who's also trying to balance their work, home, and social lives, something's got to give. Thankfully fitting in a fitness routine doesn't have to be as hard as it may sometimes seem — in fact, even devoting just 10 minutes a day is a great start.
As Portland-based fitness guru and founder of the Move + Meditate Method, Kait Hurley explains, "There's this misconception that in order for exercise to be effective, it needs to hurt, take up a lot of time, and that you have to suffer. Not true." As someone who works from home herself, she says, "On many days, 10 minutes is all I've got ... so whenever I have trouble focusing or I feel stuck, I just fire up a quick class to hit the reset button and blow off steam." Hurley's go-to class is her own creation, a combination of strength training and yoga-based moves along with breath work — and it's something you can do from the privacy of your own home.
And Hurley isn't the only pro who believes that there are ways to pack a punch into just a 10-minute session. Ahead, tips from five reliable sources — from personal trainers to fitness program founders — that show you how to get an energy-pumping sweat session in less time than it takes to put on your compression leggings.
Kait Hurley
"My 10-minute class is packed with my favorite full-body moves. Think 'horse pose' squats with upper-body strengthening work and a sizzle-y all-fours move to challenge your glutes and core. At the end, we'll ground down with a simple, breath-focused meditation practice." Try Hurley's online class here.
Erica Hood
The dancer, choreographer, and creator of HoodFit says, "For a girl constantly on the go I recommend a full-body workout using only your body weight, so you can squeeze it in anywhere or anytime." As for the specific routine she suggests, "Do the following five exercises for two minutes each: jumping jacks, push-ups, squat jumps, glute bridges, and bicycle crunches. You'll be surprised how quickly you can get some good cardio and toning in 10 minutes. I have a lot of clients who travel and/or are big-time lady bosses, and they love these kinds of programs."
Tara Mobasseri
As a former ballerina and current coach at BoxUnion studio in Los Angeles, Mobasseri has perfected the art of the quickie workout. "In each 10-minute workout, pick certain muscles and body parts to focus on to make your workout efficient," Mobasseri says. "Then, change your focus each time. Stick to three or four exercises, do them for two minutes, and then rest for 30 seconds." And if your home is your studio, and therefore have limited equipment, the fitness pro says grab what you've got lying around "Use things around the house to add a challenge," she suggests, "Use a milk carton or whatever you have lying around as a weight. Not every workout needs to leave you drenched in sweat but you can absolutely get an effective workout in 10 minutes."
Lauren Kleban
The creator of LEKfit frequently has celebrity clientele crashing her Los Angeles sweat-inducing classes (Emmy Rossum and Busy Phillips are regulars), so she knows all too well about the demands of a busy schedule — hence why she created an on demand option for those who can't make it into the studio. As for her recommendation for a 10-minute session, Kleban shares, "It’s important to get your heart rate up while simultaneously working on strength building. Try this LEKfit full-body — no equipment required: 10 jumping jacks, 10 pliés in second position, 10 parallel squats, 10 counts center plank on your elbows with hands apart, 10 counts side plank (per side), 10 counts center (high) plank, 10 counts parallel push up, 10 burners (burpees without the jump), 10 burpees, 10 squat jumps."
While these moves are strategically picked to get your blood pumping, a cool down is equally important, even for shorter workouts. The fitness pro explains, "Be sure to bring your heart rate down and stretch before you complete, and if you are a beginner, start slow, do what you can, and take breaks when necessary."
Jules Hunt
Hunt is a wellness entrepreneur and the voice behind popular blog Om & The City. As a certified yoga teacher, and someone who's frequently squeezing in her daily fitness routines at home (with her pup, Luna), she's mastered a way to feel the burn even with a packed schedule and no studio in sight. As for the way she breaks a sweat in just 10 minutes, she says, "I am a yogi at heart, but when I'm short on time or feel like I need a midday reset, this is my go-to combo for a good, quick butt-kickin'. I do 30-second sets of jump squats, sumo squat pulses, burpees, donkey kicks, ab bikes, reverse crunches, and a one-minute plank. Then I repeat it all over again for a 10-minute full-body workout."
