What Can You Do In 6 Minutes?

by Cheng-Ling Chen — November 29, 2007

Is time (or lack thereof) your reason for not exercising? Well, you can't use that excuse anymore. I just found a 6-minute workout routine offered by fitness trainer Gina Lombardi on MSNBC.com . Check out her 6-Minute Shape-Up that requires no equipment, no fuss, just your good old self:

1. Lunges. Start with feet together, step right foot forward into a lunge. With a straight back, right leg and thigh should form a 90-degree angle. Ease out of the lunge by pushing back off the right foot and up to the starting position. Repeat lunge for left leg. Do 24 rounds.
2. Push ups. Pretty self-explanatory. If you can't do a full push up (which I'm not ashamed to admit I couldn't before I started working out regularly), do a modified push up with knees on the floor. Either way, Gina says to do 24 of these.
3. Mountain Climbers. From a traditional push up position (i.e. on hands and toes), lift right foot and bring right knee to the nose. Touch foot down to return to starting position. Now lift left foot and nuzzle the left knee. 24 is your lucky number.
4. Bicycle Crunches. Lying on your back, lace fingers behind your head. Raise legs with knees bent at a 90 degree angle to the floor. Elbows out and shoulders down, cross left elbow to right knee by lifting the chest and torso. Follow up by crossing right elbow to left knee. 24 rounds are in order. How'd you guess?
5. Step Ups. You can do these on stairs or with a chair. Step up with your right foot. Bring left foot up to meet the right then back down. Switch to left leg. You know how many to do.
6. V Crunches. Lie on your back with hands at the sides. Bend knees and lift them up while raising the torso towards the thighs. You're forming a "V" shape with your thighs and chest. Lower and repeat. Do 25 just to mix it up. Why not?

You may still prefer getting out for a quick walk or short run, but this is a good workout for those days when time is not on your side.