Exercise: I’m Starting the 7 Minute Workout

I have mentioned here on the blog and in the podcast, that finding time to exercise has consistently been a challenge for me. I have started and stopped more plans than I can count. For several months, I have been researching – reading, asking others about their exercise routines, discussing with close friends, and getting advice from an executive coach. I have learned that most people struggle with a regular consistent exercise plan that works. Finding the time that fits with life and work has been the primary barrier.

Our research lead us to an exercise plan that I am intrigued to share and start – the 7 Minute Workout! That’s right, 7 minutes. You can do it without going to the gym, when you travel, and without expensive equipment.

Do you struggle to exercise in between all of life's demands? Start the 7-Min workout with me! Click To Tweet

The theory of the workout is to do 12 high intensity exercises in a specific order so that you achieve the maximum benefit in a short period of time. These exercises utilize just your body weight, a chair and a wall and take only 7 minutes all together, which makes them great for anyone’s busy lifestyle. Each exercise is 30 seconds long with 10 seconds of rest between each.

There’s very good evidence” that high-intensity interval training provides “many of the fitness benefits of prolonged endurance training but in much less time,” says Chris Jordan, the director of exercise physiology at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla., and co-author of the new article. — The New York Times

I decided that it was time that I joined in and have added the app to my iPhone. The mobile app is a must with this workout, and the handy timer helps you get through each exercise, because you think, “I can do 10 more seconds of jumping jacks!”

A budding crop of research suggests that short, intense exercise can boost metabolism, fight weight gain and even add years to your life.” — Huffington Post

Boosting my metabolism and fighting weight gain sound good to me, and I need all the help I can get to schedule even short bursts of exercise into my busy schedule, so I will report back after I use it for a while and let you know what I think!

I'm starting the @7minapp workout this week! Will you join me? Click To Tweet

If you don’t have a regular exercise plan, let’s try this one together. I am starting this week and will keep you posted on the results. I do believe being healthy is critically important as we steward well our leadership and life.

Resources:

• The 7 Minute Workout website
• 7 Minute Workout App
• “The Scientific 7-Minute Workout” by The New York Times

“Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 HCSB

Blessings,