“I don’t have time.”
It’s the go-to excuse for skipping the gym.
We get it — work, family, and social commitments make it tough to fit in a workout. But guess what? You don’t need long exercise classes or hours at the gym to stay active. We’ve got some simple life hacks that will help you make time for physical activity, no matter how busy you are.
When you're short on time, the best strategy is to break your exercise into short, frequent bursts throughout the day. Even 10 minutes, two or three times a day can give you the health benefits of physical activity. Once you split your daily workout into easy, doable time slots, you open up a world of exercise that doesn’t require an hour of cardio. Here are a few of our favorite low-effort fitness hacks:
Walk Whenever You Can
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Park your car at the farthest end of the lot.
- Pace while talking on your cell phone.
Workout During TV Time
- Plan a workout that fits exactly into the time slot of your favorite show or the news.
- Instead of sitting, try sit-ups, jumping jacks, push-ups, or lunges — no equipment needed!
Try Some Deskercise!
- Yes, you can exercise at your desk! It might feel silly, but you can get a good workout with just a desk and chair.
- We have a list of discreet moves to try if you’re worried about your coworkers watching.
Multitask Your Exercise
- Do lunges while cooking.
- Pace the house while rocking the baby to sleep.
- Bring in groceries one bag at a time.
- Get off the subway one stop early and walk home.
- Wash your car yourself instead of using the gas station car wash.
Use Your Work Breaks
- Take 10 minutes to walk up and down the stairs.
- Stroll around the office building.
- Walk to lunch instead of driving.
By making these small changes, you can easily add more physical activity to your day. Remember, every little bit helps, and soon, you’ll find that staying active becomes a natural part of your routine. So, no more excuses! Start incorporating these fitness hacks today and see how much better you feel.
“Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away.” – Charles Caleb Colton
How do YOU incorporate exercise into your busy schedule? Tell us below!
