Fitness Experts Recommend 'Snack Workouts'
Short on gym time? Fitness experts are pushing "snack-sized" workouts—5–15 minute, high-intensity routines—as effective as longer sessions [https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2026/03/09/no-time-for-gym-fitness-expert-reveals-5-quick-workouts-that-can-transform-your-fitness.html]. Pilates instructors recommend these routines for core strength, glute development, and overall mobility.
The concept of "exercise snacks" isn't new; Olympic gold medalist Paavo Nurmi used 60-second intervals in his training. Similarly, the Royal Canadian Air Force developed an 11–12 minute full-body workout in the 1950s. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is related to the idea of snack workouts, with both emphasizing short bursts of exercise. HIIT workouts, with all-out effort for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest, can significantly boost endurance. Benefits of HIIT include improved stamina and strength, fat burning during and after the workout, and improved heart health. Exercise snacks may be more effective for weight loss than longer sessions. Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, found that HIIT workouts release more endorphins than traditional aerobic workouts. A University of Bath study showed that four weeks of 60-second exercise snacks increased sit-to-stand repetitions by 30%. Pilates is often recommended for core strength, and a 15-minute Pilates workout can build core strength without sit-ups. Pilates engages deep core muscles and can improve posture and balance. Some beginner Pilates ab exercises include Pilates Hundreds, Double-Leg Toe Taps, and Leg Circles.
