My 15-Minute Beginner HIIT Workout

So. I’ve been a tad bit obsessed with trying to find a workout that I can finish in less than 20 minutes. A 15-minute beginner HIIT workout hits the spot just right. Yes, I could get up at 5, but I really don’t want to. And since I work in the evenings, I need to make sure that I take care of myself during the day…which includes fitting in a workout.

My 15-Minute Beginner HIIT Workout

If you have kids, especially kids stuck inside when it’s pouring outside, you understand the need for time-sensitive workouts. I recently posted a review of the new Tracy Anderson workout, which includes 3 20-minute workouts…but let’s face facts: by the time you get the DVD in, on, and going, we’re really talking 30 minutes.

Or maybe I’m just slow….

Don’t answer that.

Regardless, my DVD player decided that it didn’t want to cooperate this week, so I had to get creative. I knew that I still had to get my workouts in, so I’ve been alternating between Blogilates workouts, the free barre workouts I’ve collected, and HIIT.

Wait…What Is HIIT?

Honestly, it’s nothing new…they just gave it a fancy name. Basically, HIIT is when you exert yourself at your max for a period of time (usually between 10 seconds and a minute) and then follow with a lower impact exercise or rest period.

Most HIIT workouts are short-think 10-20 minutes for a total body + cardio workout. I like them because they combine a lot of different workout styles (think yoga, pilates, plyometrics, etc.) into a short, functional, fast routine.

Why HIIT?

1. Well, it’s fun-Smalls loves to jump around and “exercise” with me during my 15-minute workouts.
2. But it’s also (as I mentioned) short, so for someone like me, you’re not going to get stuck mid-workout and have to stop.
3. All you need is 10-20 minutes. Seriously.
4. You don’t need to go to a gym.
5. All you need is an interval timer. (I love my Gymboss, but you can use an app, too.)

I’ve been doing a HIIT every other day for a few weeks, and I’m really digging the results I’m getting. Yes, I’m still doing my barre workouts, some Tangoflex, and a lot of stretching. But I really think that the big changes are coming from my HIIT workouts.

My pants are fitting looser, my mommy pooch is shrinking, and my arms are slimming out. Ish also mentioned that my girls have shrunk (I’m probably the only one in this relationship that is actually excited about that! NO MORE BACK PAIN!). I know I have a long way to go, but this beginner HIIT is helping me get there:

Beginner HIIT Workout

 

Sumo Squat

Step Jacks

Butt Kicks

So, what do YOU think? Are you going to give HIIT a try?