When you lead a busy lifestyle, it’s easy for fitness to fall down your list of priorities. However, if you want exercise to be an integral part of your life, it’s important to develop habits that will help you fit it in even on the most hectic of days.
Here are 5 ways to keep fit no matter how tight your schedule is.
- Start early
One solution to fit exercise into a busy schedule is simply to set your alarm for 20-30 minutes earlier and do your workout before you head out for the day. Whether it’s a quick run or a circuit session in the garden, working out first thing is a great energy booster and will get your day off to the best start.
Alternatively, if it suits you more, make time at the end of the day to complete your regime. A short Pilates workout can even be done in your pyjamas if you’re feeling tired after a long day at the office.
- Turn your commute into a workout
If getting up earlier isn’t for you, why not burn off some calories on your commute instead?
If you normally spend your commute scrolling through Instagram or reading the news, listen to some music and get off the bus one or two stops earlier instead. Even a short 10–15-minute walk on your way to or from work will make a difference.
Choosing to walk or cycle to work adds in extra active minutes to your day, without having to set aside a specific time to exercise in. Not only that, it’s also much healthier for the environment and your bank balance!
- Fit in a lunch break exercise session
Making your lunch break count by hitting the gym or going for a walk will not only help keep your waistline in check but will also help you be more productive during the rest of the day.
Keep a pair of trainers and workout gear by your desk so you can easily do a little exercise during your lunch hour, such as a short fitness or yoga class, or make use of a spare meeting room and do 15 minutes of strength exercises.
- Make your workouts fast but effective
If you already have a good fitness level, try interval training instead of longer cardio workouts to reap the benefits of aerobic exercise whilst completing your workout in a shorter amount of time.
To do this, alternate short bursts of intense activity with longer breaks of moderate activity. For example, instead of a 45-minute treadmill session, run at full intensity for 30 seconds, before resting for 30 seconds and repeating 15 times.
Workouts don’t have to be long to be effective—sometimes just 15 minutes of really pushing yourself is just as good.
- Work up a sweat at home
Whilst setting up a state-of-the-art home gym might be out of your budget, purchasing some simple weights can save you time and money in the long run, allowing you to work out from home whenever suits you.
If you love working out on a shock-absorbing treadmill, elliptical, stair master, or something similar, then consider investing in a workout machine, too. Alternatively, there are plenty of apps available to download that offer great at-home workouts or you can even find them for free on YouTube.
Conclusion
We all know regular exercise offers many health and wellness benefits, but it can be a challenge fitting it into a manic schedule.
By following these simple ways to sneak more exercise into your day, you can keep your workouts within the rotation, no matter how busy you are.
