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Fitness

10-Minute High-Intensity Workouts for Strength Gains and Fat Loss

Strength and conditioning doesn't have to take a back seat when you find yourself in a time crunch.

Tom Kelso

Written by Tom Kelso Last updated on December 7, 2014

These workouts defy conventional logic because they are short on the clock. Yes, these workouts are time-efficient, but they will work if you can suck it up.

Additionally, they can be used when your regular training takes a backseat due to some unexpected reality that pops up in your life. Always remember that doing something is 100% ahead of doing nothing.

NEED HELP GETTING STARTED? A Primer on Motivation and Goal-Setting

Eliminate Excuses for Missed Workouts

The irony of these ten-minute workouts is they work even when you’re not strapped for time, but most people are reluctant to do them because they are just not fun. But whether your goal is to become stronger, lose body fat, get fit, or fit into your swim suit next summer, the following workouts will help you and your purportedly hectic daily schedule by enhancing your goal of being physically fit.

“Always remember that doing something is 100% ahead of doing nothing.”

Some naysayers will aver, “No way they work because they are not long enough.” But the reality is if you perform these properly – with 100% intensity – and do them as either a substitute to your regularly-scheduled workout or as a an adjunct to your routine, they will create positive results.

These six workouts will work only if you commit to all-out effort for ten minutes. That means taking zero rest between exercises. Not even a brief ten-second respite. Transition from one exercise to the next with no rest between.

READ THIS: Using Intensity to Increase Strength

Workout 1

  • 2:00 mountain climbers
  • 2:00 pull ups – do a variation if you cannot do regular pull ups, and if you fail, just keep pulling until 2:00 elapses
  • 2:00 jumping jacks
  • 2:00 burpees
  • 2:00 air squats

Workout 2

  • 1:30 barbell squat – 100% for males or 75% for females, approximately 20 repetitions
  • 1:00 push ups
  • 1:00 chest-to-bar pull ups – if you fail, just keep pulling for 1:00 total
  • 1:00 frog jumps
  • :30 alternate-leg lunges
  • 2:00 bicycle crunches
  • 2:00 medicine ball squat-to-press
  • 1:00 run in place and get those knees up

barbell, squats, back squat, lifting, strength

“These six workouts will work only if you commit to all-out effort for ten minutes.”

Workout 3

  • 1:00 bear crawl
  • 1:00 dumbbell overhead press
  • 2:00 dumbbell deadlift
  • 1:00 medicine ball squat-to-press
  • 1:00 T-push ups
  • 1:00 dumbbell bent-over row
  • 2:00 dumbbell step-back lunge
  • 1:00 medicine ball sky crunch

DIFFERENT GOALS? Try Our Library of Free Workouts

Workout 4

  • 1:30 spread-eagle burpees
  • 2:00 chin up/hold/bar hang – pull or hang for at least 2:00
  • 1:00 close-grip push up
  • 2:00 iso-hold bodyweight squat
  • 2:00 toe-touch crunches
  • 1:30 split jumps, alternating right and left.

Workout 5

  • 5:00 45lb bar squats – hang in there and get as many possible
  • 2:30 push ups – accumulate as many reps possible in the allotted time
  • 2:30 dumbbell bent-over row – again, accumulate as many possible

Workout 6

  • Jumping jacks x 20
  • Dumbbell chest press x 12 reps
  • Dumbbell bent-over row x 20 reps
  • Burpees x 10
  • Dumbbell squat x 15 reps

MAKE MORE TIME FOR TRAINING: Balancing Work, Rest and Play

<strong”>Yes, they’re short, but these workouts are effective if you go all-out. Remember, they’re only ten minutes each and they work stand-alone. They’re also great alternatives when your normal workout routine needs to be changed.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock.

Tom Kelso

About Tom Kelso

Tom Kelso is currently an Exercise Physiologist with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He also trains clients through Pinnacle Personal & Performance Training in Chesterfield, Missouri.

For 23 years he was in the collegiate strength and conditioning profession, serving as the Head Coach for Strength and Conditioning at Saint Louis University (2004-2008), the University of Illinois at Chicago (2001-2004), Southeast Missouri State University (1991-2001), and the University of Florida (1988-1990). He got his start in the strength and conditioning field as an Assistant Strength Coach at Florida in 1984 where he was also a weight training instructor for the Department of Physical Education from 1985 to 1988.

In 2006, Tom was named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association for his years of service in the field. In 1999, he was named NSCA Ohio Valley Conference Strength and Conditioning Professional of the year. In 2001, he received an honorary certification from the International Association of Resistance Trainers (I.A.R.T.).

Tom possesses C.S.C.S. and S.C.C.C. certifications with the NSCA and CSCCA, respectively. Additionally, he is certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in basic instructor development and as a specialist instructor by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. In 2012, he became certified by the IBNFC as a Certified Nutrition Coach.

Tom has worked with athletes at the Olympic and professional levels, presented at various clinics/seminars, and worked several athletic-related camps. He is a strong advocate of safe, practical, and time-efficient training and has published a collection of periodical articles, book chapters, complete books, and user-friendly downloads promoting such.

Tom received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa in 1981(It's great to be a Hawkeye!) and a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Western Illinois University in 1984. He was a member of the Track and Field team at Iowa and served as a Graduate Assistant Track & Field Coach while at Western Illinois.

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