Lest you swear off all forms of formal exercise until January, consider this: Researchers at McMaster University in Canada have found that short, high-intensity workouts have nearly the same muscular and cardiovascular benefits as longer periods of exercise. The key to making the most of shorter bouts, says personal trainer Nicki Anderson, owner of Reality Fitness in Naperville, Illinois, is giving it all you’ve got.
“By doing a mixture of whole-body exercises and cardio with no rest in between, you can get a great workout in only 15 minutes,” she says. We worked with Anderson to put together a workout built on basic moves — no fancy techniques or equipment required. All you need are comfortable clothes, a pair of sneakers, and a few feet of clear floor space. And if boredom is a concern, we’ve set the workout up like a takeout menu; choose one exercise from each category in whichever order you like best.
