The 10 Best 20-Minute (or less) Workouts

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The most critical part of losing weight is eating a healthy diet.

That means eating smaller portion sizes, balanced meal plans and the right amount of calories necessary to meet your goals.

But exercise is also important. Not only can it speed up your weight loss, but it also staves off disease, improves your mental health and can even allow for a few extra calories during the day.

But what about when you don’t have time to hit the gym for an hour?

Luckily, the Internet is chock-full of powerful workout routines that are only 20 minutes or less! They are sure to get your heart-rate up while still keeping within your busy schedule.

We gave our fingers a little exercise and rounded up the 10 best in one neat little list.

(Disclaimer: Some of the exercise routines included in this list are high-intensity. Please consult with your doctor first to make sure you are healthy enough to work out.)
 

1. Buzzfeed's 20-Minute Fat-burning Workout

Buzzfeed’s workout is high-intensity, yes, but that means the calorie-burn is that much more intense. And trust us, when you’re done, pride doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Circuit 1: 10 squat jumps; 10 mountain climbers; 10 side lunges; 10 elevated push-ups; 30-second “v-hold.” Repeat.

Circuit 2: 10-single deadlifts on each leg (20 total); 10 reverse-lunges on each leg (20 total); 10 squats; 10 “supermans”; 30-second plank. Repeat.

Stretch for 2 minutes. 

Get It: Here

2. Popsugar's Fitness's 15-Minute Bootcamp

This is the kind of workout where you’ll feel your heart pumping within literal seconds of starting. It’s 15 minutes, and PopSugar Personal Trainer Anna Renderer doesn’t waste it. Keep a towel and water bottle close by and get ready to sweat!
 

Or Watch It: Here

3. Jessica Smith's 17-Minute No Equipment Total Body Circuit Workout

Jessica’s been hosting an online fitness channel for many years. People come back to her again and again because she’s great at what she does, especially when it comes to beginners.

Jessica slows down enough to make sure you understand every step, but also gets your heart pumping enough to make sure you’re getting the burn in. Definitely one to check out, especially if you’re traveling or on vacation.

Or Watch It: Here

Swirl Girl 15-Minute Workout with Tiffany Rothe

Don’t expect any crunches on this one. Tiffany Rothe is all about making your core, abs and hips stronger, but in a fun way that (combined with some upbeat music) will make the minutes fly by.

Or Watch It: Here

Shape Magazine's Animal-Inspired Workouts

What better way than to release your inner beast than doing a fitness routine inspired by animals? That’s what Shape Magazine brings you with its “animal inspired” workouts, everything from a komodo dragon, to a monkey shuffle, to a tiger crouch and more.

Get Them: Here

Real Simple's 20-Minute Workout

Get fit and strong — and do it fast — with a range of six body motions just for women. Start with a concentration curl using a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell, followed by a variated concentration curl and a chair-dip. Next, focus on your chest and upper-back with a modified pushup, variated modified pushup, squat and side lifts and both a super-crunch and variated super-crunch. Round it out with the one-legged squat and you’re all set!

Get It: Here

Women's Health Magazine's Early Bird Gets the Burn

If you can get yourself to do it, there’s truly nothing quite like an early-morning fitness routine. Get the blood flowing with a series of body moves that include the cat-cow pose, split squat, squat thrusts and a leaning side plank. Quick and easy things to wake you up, burn a few extra calories and start your day off right.

Get It: Here

Runner's World 20-Minute Total Body Workout

Whether you run or walk, strengthening your body is critical to making you more efficient and prevent injury. That’s exactly what this workout will do for you, combining low-intensity moves with muscle strengthening.

Or Watch It: Here

Dr. Oz's 20-Minute Workout

New York celebrity Joel Harper brings the burn to help you get lean, strong muscles that will look great, help your body burn calories faster and become well-balanced and flexible. The routine only has to be done a few times a week for great results.

Get It: Here

Greatist's 20-Minute Body-weight Workout (By CrossFit Champ)

As Jason Khalipa puts it, you don’t need more than 20 minutes a few times a week, but you do have to hit it hard. His workout is pretty simple, but it’s perfect for busy people. Start with a 2-minute warm-up doing jumping jacks. Then follow it with 15 squats, 15 sit-ups and 15 push-ups for as many rounds as possible before you’re out of time.

Get It: Here

Did we miss a great fitness routine? Share it in the comments below! 

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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.

 

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