5 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Time

It's tough to squeeze a workout into a hectic athlete's lifestyle. How do you do it? Get up before the kids? During your lunch hour? After work and before dinner? Late at night? Here are some tips to make the most of your precious minutes.

More: Blast Fat With This 30-Minute Interval Workout

1. Don't Ignore Light Weights

The 1 and 2 lb weights often seem to stay in the rack, untouched. Leave them behind no longer. When you are in a kick-boxing class, power-walking, stair-stepping, or doing any type of cardio, hold a couple extra pounds and sculpt your arms without even thinking about it.

2. Avoid Rep Resting

Three sets of 15 reps then rest in between set is what you're supposed to do, right? Wrong. Instead of idling for 30 seconds between reps, take advantage of your time. Do a set bicep curls, then do 10 squats between each rep. If you doing squats, try some pushups in between each set. Double up exercises.

More: Your Full-Body Circuit Workout

3. Use Your Core

Planks are one of the best ways to sculpt your core. While hold your plank, try to do leg lifts. You'll shape your butt in no time.

4. Create a Plan

Make weekly plans of your cardio and strength workouts. Don't waste the first five minutes of your workout trying to figure out your exercise routine. With a plan, you'll know what routine to do, you can just jump right into your workout.

More: 3 Reasons to Use a Workout Schedule

5. Be Smarter With Your Phone

Yoga class canceled? No big deal, just try a yoga app. There are dozens of instructional yoga videos and workouts in the app world. Want to do circuits at home? There are tons of apps for that too. Use the timer on your phone to help reach your goal and get in the zone while you play your tunes.

Use the Fooducate app to quickly scan barcodes to see if that product you are about to eat is really good for you. Use the notepad to track meals, exercise goals and workout plans. Use one central location, your phone, to make your fitness routine smooth and save time.

More: 6 iPhone Apps to Improve Your Health

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About the Author

Chelsea Brookshire

Chelsea Brookshire of two daughter and a fitness enthusiast.

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