The 5-Minute Workout That Really Works

Do you have 5 minutes to spare? Then you’ve got time to work out. And you don’t have to spend money going to the gym. You can do this 5-minute fat-blasting routine wherever you are.

Here’s what you do:

[Fitness expert Dasha] Libin calls this routine Martial 2s, or 20-2. The secret sauce: efficiency. You’ll alternate between two exercises (detailed below), consecutively. No rest between sets and reps!

For your first set, you’ll complete each exercise for 20 reps. For your second set, you’ll complete each exercise for 18 reps. You’ll continue by reducing by 2 reps every set until you get to 0 or your 5 minutes is up–whichever happens first.

1. High Pull

Stand with feet hip-width apart, bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips about 45 degrees. Sit your butt back (without squatting), straighten arms and extend 15 pound weight to floor with arms straight. Then quickly pull the weight overhead, bending arms at chest in one swift motion.

2. Swing Through Leg Switch

Start in a plank position. Then step left foot up to outside of left palm. Then use momentum and strength to jump/switch the legs.

Read about why it works over at Self.