Swap the Remote for 20-Minute Power Workouts

It's time to leave behind the winter blues and welcome the surge of energy that comes with the transition from winter to spring in Canada.

After a prolonged period, it's time to bid farewell to the Netflix binge-watching mode and welcome the season of spring training.

Instead of the remote, let's get active and start moving.

To help you tap into this fresh energy, here are a set of 20(ish)-minute workouts tailored for all, whether you're a couch potato or a fitness enthusiast.

The workouts feature a series of intervals that range from easy (recovery mode) to high intensity.

The idea is to cycle between intensities, so you get the maximum bang for your buck.

Walk, run, bike or swim the workouts, just make sure you’re breathing hard during the high-intensity intervals (you should be feeling the effort) and taking it easy during the recovery phase of the workout.

The idea is to amp up your speed, knowing that you have a generous recovery period to catch your breath.

Peaks and valleys in intensity will put the spring back in your step and get you ready for the active summer months ahead.

If you’re worried that 20 minutes isn’t enough time to whip yourself into better shape, think again.

Small exercise bites are all the rage, with plenty of studies highlighting the benefits of short, peppy workouts.

Get your sweat on at lunch, before the kids get up in the morning or shake off the stress of a long day with an after-dinner workout.

And since the days are getting longer, there’s more time at both ends of the day for a quick 20-minute exercise bite.

The four featured workouts are slightly different; mix them up over the course of the week.

If you haven’t worked up a sweat in a while, take a day off between workouts.

If you’re active but in need of a spring tuneup, work them into your schedule as you see fit.

They’re perfect for days when time is tight, or motivation is low.

You can add a five-minute warmup and five-minute cool down and boost the workout to 30 minutes. Bottom line is: You do you.

Source: montrealgazette