Im so NOT a great stretcher as it’s the first thing I nix when I run out of time (which is daily it feels) so I clung to the studies which let me off the hook.

for myself I mean

for the article I stayed impartial :)

M.

For me, it’s just a matter of every single day I practice at roughly the same time. I have no excuse if I “choose” not to practice on a particular day (sometimes it’s Saturday sometimes it’s Wednesday) except that I’m am responsible for making the decision to sit that day out.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, takes precedence over my yoga practice each day – but I also realize that that just isn’t an option for many people. I do consider myself lucky.

Interesting article! You have to admit though, for every study that proves stretching has no effect on soreness or injury, there are 100 that do. As well, I’ve never seen a study that shows stretching is BAD for you. Also also, that study concluded that more research was needed and the article emphasized the importance of a warm up.

I know a lot about high intensity intervals… but your key there is “short rest”, not “reduce heart rate back to resting and 2 hours later give it another 5″

I DOOO however totally agree that 5 minutes working out is better than 5 minutes on the couch. I do sit ups during commercial breaks, too. Something is almost always better than nothing.

5 minute workouts though, I will still argue, is something can sometimes suffice… not something that is ideal.

A heart rate up and down is actually *beneficial*, and it is more beneficial than maintaining a steady pace and HR. It’s also called “High Intensity Interval Training.” You work out intensely for a short time period, and then you take a short rest. Since it trains you anaerobically, you get a much higher increase in your fitness.

It’s definitely possible to knock out some Tabata intervals in 5 minutes. And that’s a great way to make the 5 minute workout count.

As far as Ifar’s comment, I’ve got three thoughts:

(1) Tabata intervals specifically ask you to do hard work and take only slow rest times. If you can’t deal with a slow rest time, you can lift less weight. It gets your heartrate up while lifting weights. Tabata intervals can be done with anything (weights, situps, sprints, etc).

(2) As far as stretching, a recent study found that stretching actually does not reduce your risk of injury. I still stretch; I like the flexibility it gives me. And, for me, I think it reduces tension (I especially like to stretch my neck muscles, as I find it reduces my risk of headache).

(3) Yes, 5 minutes is not the best workout ever. Stringing together lots of 5 minute workouts isn’t ideal. But it’s sure as hell better than sitting on the couch for those 5 minutes. Personally, I’m a big fan of the “commercial” workout — if I watch TV, I get up during the commercials. I sometimes lift weights or do situps. Other times, I clean up my apartment. A big key is just to get moving as much as possible.

However, I think making a date to meet friends to do something active is a good way to multi-task. I also own a spinning bike and can hop on for a few minutes at any time.

While I personally always have time to work out (as a triathlete, my life is trying to carve time out of my training schedule for things like TV and blog reading), I feel that it should be pointed out that 5 minute chunks isn’t a great way to lose weight, feel good, or reap the cardio benefits on your heart.

She’s also not taking time to warm up or stretch. INNNJURY WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Additionally, dense reps= such a bad idea if you’re at all working yourself.

Also also, there’s a particular order things should be done in to optimize your workout. If you work small muscles before big ones, you can strain something. Big muscle groups need to be done before little ones. So some floor stuff I can do at home needs to be done at the gym so I can do it all in the proper order.

Just saying.