I am the short-workout queen.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you probably already know that I used to suffer from my own little case of cardio addiction. For several years, I was stuck in the mindset that I needed to work out for hours on end to achieve any type of progress or to see any results.
After I discovered Bodyrock & HIIT workouts, all of that went down the drain. I saw results faster than ever before, and was spending less than half of the time I would’ve normally spent at the gym.
Keeping in mind that I might be hitting up a Zumba class tonight, I was more than happy with a high intensity 5 minute workout to start my day.
(Remember when I mentioned that I’m always left with the leftover oversized shirts at races? Well my t-shirt from last year’s Miracle Miles 15k was no exception…)
5 Minute Fat Blaster
This quick workout is only 5 minutes long and is the perfect quick burst to spike your heart rate on a busy day!
** If you have an interval timer, set it for 10 rounds of 2 intervals: 5 seconds and 25 seconds. The 5 seconds will be your rest period, and the 25 seconds will be your activity period
** If you do not have an interval timer, watch the clock & try to get your timing as close as possible to 5 seconds of rest and 25 seconds of activity
5 seconds- Rest
25 seconds- Standard Burpees
5 seconds- Rest
25 seconds- Standard Push ups or Modified push ups
5 seconds- Rest
25 seconds- Alternating Side burpees
5 seconds- Rest
25 seconds- Floor Tricep Dips
5 seconds- Rest
25 seconds- High Knees
Repeat this entire circuit 2 times.
And per request, a printable version:
I spent my morning trying to coax myself into starting Night for one of my classes, but unfortunately I wasn’t as persuasive as I had hoped to be.
I did manage to persuade myself to snack on a rice cake with jelly,
and to prep one giant spinach salad beast.
Spinach, diced tomatoes, avocado, chickpeas, balsamic vinegar, and ginger dressing. At first I was going to make this into a Greek-style salad with Kalamata olives & all, but the brand new ginger dressing in my fridge was calling my name and I couldn’t escape.
Now I’m off to Costco with Will to invest in some greenery
A bit to think about: Which do you prefer– long endurance workouts or short high-intensity workouts?















{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m off to my first Zumba class of the year tonight too — too bad we weren’t going to the same one

Andrea @ Vegvacious recently posted..Barbecued Bruschetta
I like to alternate between short, high intensity workouts and longer ones to keep things interesting. Short ones are always great when in a time crunch! I read Night in high school and absolutely loved it! Once you start, I think you’ll be able to read it in one sitting. It’s so graphic and moving. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Shipyard Emporium
oo! Is it bad that you might have just motivated me to read it a litttleee bit more? I’ll let you know how it goes!
I like a mixture of workouts. Doing long workouts all the time leads to burn-out. A 5 min workout to start your day is a really good idea – it sounds energising!
Sarah (everydaysapicnic) recently posted..Exercise–It’s About Having Fun!
I like both types of workouts! Insanity is interval training but month 2 has me doing hour long workouts! It’s crazy. Doing hour long workouts like I used to do almost every day (turbo kickboxing) ended up just burning me out though, so I’d say a combo of both.
Squirrel Snackin’ recently posted..The best cookies I’ve ever made: White chocolate biscoff cookies within cookies
Wow– I’ve been wanting to do Insanity but 1 hour? I’m pretty sure I would cry.
You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I prefer the LONGER high-intensity workouts. The longer low-intensity ones drive me crazy! The high intensity keeps me interested in the workout, and the longer workout lets me have a cupcake. And by longer, I mean 45 minutes or so.
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted..The Weekend with No Running
Haha I don’t think you’re crazy! Just all the more hardcore
I can’t handle long low-intensity workouts either– I feel like I’d rather be sleeping (which wouldn’t be a lie)
I’m becoming a huge fan of the mini workouts lately. If I’m working at home and need a quick mental break, I love busting out a few situps or push ups or something. I’ve gotta try this workout you posted, too!
Kathryn @ Flopoodle recently posted..Flopoodle: Labor Day Weekend Edition
Looks like an awesome workout, I’ll have to try it out
I love costco, have an amazing time!
Sarah @ Feeeding Brain and Body recently posted..Chicory Dickory Dock
I’m a HIIT girl… get it in, and get it done… or I wont do it! I found it so hard when I did my half to get in the long workouts into my day of working, kids, and well, a life!
nikki recently posted..Birthday cakes & Bubba’s Choice
Wow that salad looks amazing right now! its funny that you have a huge miracle miles shirt, my miracle miles shirt is like 2 times to small for me.
Ben@ShirtlessBen.com recently posted..19 days
haha I vote that a trade is in order!
Helllllooo spinach salad! That looks Delicious! “Night” is a really quick read once you get into it. Good luck!
Short workouts for sure!!! I like to start my day off with a workout because if I am too tired at the end of the day, at least it is already done… I like these circuts! Great idea!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..New Theme: Comet
I LOVED Night. It is one of those books that when you do start it you won’t be able to put it down.
I am going to love short high-intensity work outs to do while baby naps

Madeline (Food, Fitness, and Family) recently posted..34 Weeks + Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
I’m so glad you liked Night– hearing good reviews about it is actually making me want to start reading
I like workouts that are right in the middle!
Not too short, but not hours either!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted..Who Knew?
Night is a really great book. I read it a long long time ago, but I remember it being pretty intense. Nonetheless I couldn’t put it down once I started!
Tracy @ Tracy’s Treats recently posted..Labor Day Fun Run
Haha I always used to get oversized t-shirts when I worked in an on-campus restaurant…we would get the leftovers from whatever sponsored event they had, and were always xxxxxxxxL or something ridiculous.
Not gonna lie, “Night” is a downer. Major downer. Absolutely worth reading, though.
Night is a great book. It will tug at your emotions for sure especially since it’s a true story!!!
Sounds like a good workout! I used to only do cardio too and saw no results! It’s not until I started strength training and HIIT’s that I saw the results

Jen @familyfoodfitnessandfun recently posted..Asian Coleslaw
I prefer short, high intensity workouts. Get in, get sweaty, and get out. I’m taking a Zumba class for the first time ever in about a half hour. Can’t wait!!
Cait @ Cait hates Cake recently posted..Labor Day Weekend
For some reason, I prefer long endurance workouts. Call me crazy. I have no idea why. But I know that I need to mix things up a bit!!
Ohh I love this short workout!! I will definitely be giving it a try tonight! I feel like I’m so busy that short workouts are really the way to my heart! Plus, I’m starting to realize that if I can get a quick workout in at home, it saves me so much extra time in going to the gym! Yay for zumba! I might go to Dance Works tonight myself
I like a mix of both! But, I also never do really long workouts- an hour and under is plenty for me

Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Why I Chose OT
I think I need to jump on the short workouts train. I just don’t have time for longer workouts like I used to!
Nikki recently posted..September Lovin’