Every minute on the Minutes

Sometimes, well for me at least, the best way to get motivated to workout is to try different ways of managing the workload. Example: instead of doing slow and steady cardio (my nemesis), try intervals. Any kind. Always doing 3×10 reps when lifting? Switch to 5×5, or 2×15, or 6×3. So, since I’ve been doing 20-minute Tabata stuff like it’s my job, I was pretty pumped when I stumbled on a 20-minute workout that was a new way to quickly kick my butt. It’s basically around 40 seconds of work, with 20 seconds of rest, nonstop for 20 minutes.

Yup. Total butt kicker. 

And kind of a mind game. It’s a bit monotonous. But really fun to do while watching a rerun of Friends or Modern Family. The first time I tried I could only make it to 10 minutes, then I gave it a shot the next day and felt like Rocky Balboa when I saw minute 19 rolling along. Alas, these gems shall be incorporated into my weekly workouts. To you know, switch things up.

So, here are a few every minute on the minute workouts (if anyone knows the scientific name for these, please enlighten me)

Basically, the faster you do each set, the more rest you get, but if you do it too fast you’ll be so pooped you’ll need more time to rest. So you kind of have to find your groove.

Here are a few examples:

Kettlebell 

• 5 KB goblet squats

• 10 KB deadlifts

• 15 KB swings

…every minute, on the minute, for 20 minutes.

I found this over on Kettlebell Kings, and highly recommend subscribing to their weekly workouts.

 

Bodyweight

• 5 push ups

• 15 squat jumps

• 3-5 burpies

…every minute, on the minute, for 20 minutes.

 

Gym Stuff

• 2-5 pull ups

• 5 thrusters

• 8-10 med ball slams

…every minute, on the minute, for 20 minutes.

 

So not too many moves, but lots of work. It’s a great way to switch it up and get ohh so sweaty.

…every minute, on the minute, for 20 minutes.

 

Pictured: In Olympia Activewear (Sorry, I didn’t just finish one of these workouts listed above, but I thought I looked pretty darn salty and sporty….and everything is on sale.)