How to stay consistent with your workouts when you’re busy

Life is crazy, especially during the holidays. Keeping up with your exercise routine can feel impossible. With little to no time to spare, how the heck can you also work out? Come check out my top tips to help keep you moving no matter what life throws your way.

Option 1: Keep it light.

Lighter workouts require less warm-up time and allow you to be in and out much faster. To make sure you are still getting a good workout in aim for higher reps, and lower RIR’s ( reps in reserve). Let’s look at the back squat, if you typically squat 200 pounds and its challenging, how can we make 50 lbs feel hard? In order to get 1-2 reps away from failure you would probably need to do a higher volume, and rest for a shorter period of time. If i do 4 x 15-20 reps with a :30 sec rest between sets, 50 lbs is going to start to feel like 200. Now I don’t need nearly as much time to warm up and I can still make squats work with my schedule.

Option 2: Use supersets more often.

Supersets are when you alternate between 2 or more movements. Typically you will supersets that alternate between a push and a pull movement ( think press and row), or an upper and lower body movement ( bench and deadlift) or antagonistic muscle groups ( bis + tris, hammies, and quads) etc. This allows you to get more work in or keep your volume consistent and finish your workout quicker. Build your workout plans with more super sets and watch just how much work you can do in 30 mins.

Option 3: Time your rest periods.

I can’t tell you how much time you are probably wasting on your rest periods. I use the timer feature so much now my phone literally suggests it when I pull into the gym parking lot =) Not only will this save time- throw in some pacing and walking around during this time and now you are also netting steps without having to do any additional work.

Option 4: Program shorter workouts with less set up.

Being a CrossFit athlete for almost 8 years I never really used machines, even though I trained clients in a regular gym I didn’t often use them myself because of where I worked out. I used to think machines weren’t good enough or not going to carry over to my lifts or whatever other silly things I told myself. Not only are machines get for isolating certain muscle groups they are also convenient as f! Minimal setup and clean up great for when you are on a time crunch! Keep the workouts short ( whatever time you can commit to) and use more machines. You will still get a killer workout in and honestly probably be able to do more with your time.

I hope these options help you stay active all year long and if you need further support please reach out to me here.

I would love to help build your dream workout routine.

Stay moving my friends!!