By: Group Fitness Instructor and Pilates Reformer Trainer, Cara Schlussel
Tis the season to be baking cookies! And while those cookies are in the oven, you’ve got 12 minutes to whip up a quick, high-intensity workout. Try these short, intense exercises the next time you’re in the kitchen. Here’s your plan do each exercise below for 40 seconds each with a 15 second rest, and repeat 2x:
- Squats: Stand hip-width apart and lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor, keeping your weight in your heels, back flat, and chest upright.
- Jumping Jacks: Get your heart pumping and maximize calories burned. Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart and your arms by your sides. Jump your feet out while raising your arms above your head, and repeat. Engage your glutes and push back to the start position. Repeat.
- High Knees: Bring one knee up to hip level and then switch legs. Try to go as fast as you can.
- Lunges: Stand with one foot in front of the other, about 2-3 feet apart. Keep your torso straight, shoulders back and your core engaged. Bend your knees, lowering your body toward the floor and push back up to the starting position. Be sure to do this exercise for both legs.
- Butt Kicks: Kick your right heel up to touch your butt and then your left foot, and repeat.
- Mountain Climbers: Start in a high plank, with your palms flat on the floor, hands shoulder-width apart, shoulders stacked above your wrists, legs extended, and core engaged. This is the starting position. Keeping your core tight, draw your right knee to your chest. Return to the starting position and immediately draw your left knee to your chest. Return your left leg to the starting position. That’s 1 rep. Continue to alternate. The quicker you move your legs, the more of a cardio challenge this will become.
