In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to make time for exercise. In fact, lack of time is the most common excuse for not exercising. What these people don’t realize is that they can get a great workout in the time it takes to prepare morning coffee. You don’t need to exercise all day, everyday, to be fit. When it comes to exercise, a little goes a long way.

Getting in a workout is easier than you think. You only need to be active for a total of 30 minutes each day. When you divide these 30 minutes of exercise over your entire day it doesn’t seem like such a daunting task. In the 10 minutes that it takes you to prepare coffee or check your e-mail, you could be accumulating the many benefits of a more active lifestyle. Brief periods of exercise can work wonders when you are trying to increase your activity levels or don’t have time for a regular workout. In addition, if you want to ease into a routine, you can do short workouts throughout the day.

Your 10 minute workout should follow the same pattern as a full length workout. You should begin with a brief warm up, that includes stretching, to prepare your muscles for exercise. Exercise at a high intensity for 8 minutes. Follow this with a 1 minute cool down.

This workout is short, so it is important that you work hard if you want to reap maximum benefits. This means you need to exercise at a high intensity and also elevate your heart rate and breathing. You should combine both cardio and strength training for maximum calorie burn. As you become more accustomed to the routine, you can separate cardio and strength into two separate workouts in your day. Easy cardio exercises include jumping jacks and riding a stationary bike. Simple strength exercises are pushups and lifting weights. With three short 10 minute sessions each day you can easily develop healthy fitness habits.

What does this routine look like in real life? Start your day with a short workout when you wake up. Jumping jacks are great in the morning. During your lunch break, reenergize with a quick power walk. At night, squeeze in your final 10 minutes while watching television. It’s as simple as that. With a little effort, exercise can become a part of your daily routine.