10 Minute Workouts Are Possible

Ten minute workouts are possible. And not only are they possible, they can also be effective.

That's what I kept telling my friend over and over when I visited him in Boston last weekend.

After all, both he and his wife were former personal training clients of mine when they lived here in Toronto and they were used to doing 45 minute sessions with me.

But now, as a hedge fund guy - working from 5am to 7pm - with two kids, he claims he has no time to workout.

HOWEVER...I know he has a set of select-tech dumbbells that go up to 90lbs, and so I started preaching about the 10-minute workouts.

He didn't believe they existed.

Kind of like double rainbows.

But they do exist. I promise you.

It does require you to challenge your thinking about conventional workouts however.

Check out the one I did today...technically from the time I entered to the time I left the gym, it would have been 11 and a half minutes, but still, a lot of work done in a short amount of time.

The 10-Minute Workout

7 sets of full squats in 10 minutes today (that includes warmup), showing you that "no time" is no reason not to train. Went like this:

45x20, 95x20, 135x15, 185x12, 205x8, 185x8, 135x15

You do the set, reload the bar, and keep going. Period.

You won't become the world's strongest man with that, but it is still effective for change. Plus, you try to do better next workout.

Always improve.

You can use the top weight for reps method of 'scoring', or total work volume (reps x poundage), or any other measure of density you'd like to track.

Just make sure to do better next time you try it. That ensures some level of adaptation and improvement.

Or you could just do this ridiculous outdoor bodyweight circuit:

=> Bodyweight Circuit Workout in the snow

An update on my blender drink situation...I've switched it up into a two-banger

=> My Nutrition Drinks

And finally, today's kickbutt mindset tip...very appropriate for today:

"Always give without remembering; always receive without forgetting."
William Barclay

Be good,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
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