Fitness in 10min...

Apart from the cost, one of the old and tired excuses i listen to everyday is lack of time. This program i have presented all over Australia on numerous occasions to various companies, in an attempt to bring up the standard of health in our corporate workforce.

Perform one of these programs each day, and you will be well on your way to excellent fitness in only 10min a day. Each program targets a different aspect of fitness, to give you well rounded and versatile fitness. They can be performed in any order.

1. Aerobic endurance: 10 minute walk – get up first thing and go for a brisk 10 minute walk. Then follow your routine as normal. This kick starts your metabolism, leaving you feeling refreshed and awake. Repeat at lunch-time, whenever you pop out for a coffee, and after dinner. The accumulative effect of these three (or more if you get the opportunity) 10 minute walks in your day includes; increased fitness, fat loss, and stress relief.
   

   

   Gyms can be boring, but if you are lucky enough to have one in your building, they can save time.

   
2. Aerobic agility: 10 minute intervals – do you sit in front on TV after a long, exhausting day? Take 1 minute per exercise to do the 5-6 of the following activities (allow 30seconds between each to get your breath back):
   
   
   1) running on the spot
   2) hamstring curls3) soccer knees
   4) ski jumps

   5) lie down & get up (no hands)
   6) burpees

   7) skipping 8) step ups
   9) star jumps 10) running backwards
3. Flexibility: Lower body -
   Glute/butt
   
   
   Quadricep
   
   
   Calf
   
   
   Hamstring
   

   

   Quadricep Stretches

   
4. Flexibility: Upper body -
   Back
   
   
   Chest
   
   
   Tricep/Lat
   
   
   Forearm
    
   
   

   

   Hover

   
5. Core Strength -
   Hover 
   Pilates "squish" and leg extension
   

   

   Pilates "squish". Start with simply extending one leg at a time. then add the second leg, then sit up.

   
6. Core Stability -
   Balance on one leg; progress to eyes shut　
   Superman; progress to eyes shut
    

   

   Opposite arm and leg raise (superman): This photo is an advanced version of the exercise. Start on your hands and knees.

   
   
7. Strength (beginners) -
   Assisted Push ups
   Supported bent over row (use water bottles or bags of sand)
   Step ups
   
   Strength (intermediate) -
   Dips
   Pull ups　
   Squats
   

   

   A good looking squat. Pistol squats are the same, except on one leg with the other pointing out straight infront.

   
   Strength (advanced) -
   Chin ups
   Push ups
   Lunges
   

   

   Push ups: fingers can be extended towards you, like in the photo, or out in front, whatever position is better for your wrists.

   
   Strength (for variety, any level) - Pistol squat
   Crouch
   Shoulder press (like a push up, but with feet on bench or against the wall)Hand stand (supported by wall, progress to free stranding)
8. Power -
   Repeat 3x10 sets of the following exercises with plenty of rest in between. Power training is high risk of injury, and should be used as an advanced exercise.
   1) split lunges
   2) burpees
   3) explosive push ups
   4) tuck jumps
   5) hill sprints
   6) boxing
   

   

   Simple power training: stair sprints.

   
9. Speed - Intervals are an effective way of improving your speed over time. In the rhythmical exercise type of your choice (riding, boxing, running) try the following interval sessions:
   * alternate 2min sprint with 1min complete rest for 20-30min
   * alternate 1min sprint with 15sec complete rest for 20-30min
   * alternate 8sec sprint with 12sec easy movement for 20-25min
   * alternate 1min sprint with 1min easy movement for 30min
10. Recovery- Take time out and achieve balance with the following:
* Meditation * Massage * Sleep * Stretch/Flexibility * Bath

Here are some ideas for special situations:

On the plane (only for the super-keen!): The following exercises are possible to do within the confines of an plane. Be prepared for a few startled looks from your fellow passengers!

* Pelvic floor exercises: squeeze your abs in like you're trying to push your lower back into the car seat. * Roaming: just get up and pace the halls. Any energy expended is good energy! * Lie down and up: in the hallways, lie down on your back then get up again without using your hands. This will increase your heart rate as well as your abdominal and leg strength. * Push ups

In the Office: It is EASY to exercise in your office! This is also something you could all do together to strengthen your team's relationship:

* Aerobic agility program (#2 card) * Some flexibility, core, and strength exercises: the ones that are possible without equipment (cards #3-10). * Skipping: skipping is one of the most effective cardiovascular workouts there is. Start with 1-2 minutes and increase as your body is able. It is an excellent exercise for interval training (#12).

Family time:
* Kids as weights: from new babies to toddlers. Lifting them from the floor and into the air repeatedly will not only entertain them, but give you an excellent workout!

* Take kids with you: running or walking. Carry them, drag them, push them, or run around them!

* Play with a ball rather than watch them on equipment: getting in there with your kids will not only strengthen your relationship, but it will increase your fitness and sense of wellbeing as well.

* Races: a tradition! As they grow bigger and stronger your tradition of racing to the nearest light pole will get harder for you.

* Piggy back and shoulder rides: physically carrying a child in your arms, on your back or shoulders will increase your energy output by up to 20%. Over a couple of hours and as your child grows this is a significant output!

* Backyard cricket, family rides, surfing, etc: make time to be active with your family. Even if you're exhausted at the start, you'll feel better after a couple of minutes, and you're kids will remember these times forever.