MAX IMIZE RESULTS

Always on the go? A high-intensity micro workout of 4-12 minutes yields benefits

Referred to as the new kid on the block, micro workouts have gained in popularity recently despite having been around for forever and a day. ● Micro workouts are effective, short training sessions that include exercises performed in a high-intensity interval training format. Unlike many traditional gym workout routines, micro workouts don’t take hours – instead, as little as 4-12 minutes is required to make decent progress toward your health and fitness goals.

There’s a wide range of micro workout routines available, depending on personal preference and access to equipment. Whatever your training needs, there’s likely a micro workout that will satisfy them.

The key to micro workouts is intensity. By focusing on short, high-intensity exercises, you can maximize your results in minimal time. For example, you can perform a series of barbell exercises with minimal rest, or engage in repeated hill sprints for a challenging and invigorating workout. Additionally, research has shown that high intensity interval workouts like micro workouts can lead to improved cardiovascular health, increased endurance, and better weight management.

In today’s fast-paced society, time is a precious commodity. Micro workouts are designed for people who have limited time but still want to stay fit and healthy. By delivering intense, effective workouts in short bursts, they allow individuals to maximize their results in minimal time, making them a popular choice for those who are always on the go. Micro workouts can also be used as a supplement to an individual’s traditional workout routine. They can provide a challenging and invigorating conditioning block at the end of a strength training session, for example. This is a great option for those who want to increase their heart rate but may not enjoy longer periods of cardio or conditioning. By combining their traditional

strength routine with a quick 8-minute micro workout, they can achieve strength and cardiovascular goals in one comprehensive training session.

The efficiency and effectiveness of micro workouts for burning calories can be attributed to their high-intensity nature. When we engage in physical activity at a high intensity, our body is put under stress and requires more oxygen than the amount our muscles can supply. This shift to anaerobic metabolism, where the body starts producing energy without the aid of oxygen, results in a higher calorie burn during the workout and also has a lasting impact on the number of calories burned post-workout, also known as EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).

The long-lasting calorie burn from micro workouts makes them an efficient and effective way to increase daily caloric expenditure and contribute to overall fat loss and fitness goals. Whether short on time or simply wanting a quick and efficient workout, micro workouts offer both immediate and long-lasting benefits that can have a significant impact on overall health and fitness.

Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist and Tony Robbins Results Coach from Fort Myers, Fla. She also is a Corrective Biomechanics Specialist, USA Triathlon Advanced Level 2 coach, USA Cycling coach, has a Specialty in Sports Nutrition certification, and a PHD in results! For more training tips, contact her at www.gearedup.biz.