Experts Say This 180 Second Workout Is As Effective As Half An Hour In The Gym

Sign us up. - by Lauren Williamson

While some of us suckers have been sweating it out for hours, an expert says that this 180 second workout is enough to get fit.

Elite sports physiotherapist Kusal Goonewardena told the Daily Telegraph that high-intensity, three-minute workouts, five times a week are the best way to kick start your fitness regime as it trains your body to want to move more.

“It gives the body momentum to take it to another level, once you push yourself outside of your comfort zone and get the benefits, it becomes a habit for you and the body starts to crave more and more exercise,” he told the publication.

Kusal says that reaching 85 per cent intensity in that short burst of time – with skipping, sprinting or star jumps – is as effective as 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise.

While you might be sceptical about the benefits of such a short workout, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has long been lauded. A 2014 study found that those who did HIIT were more likely to enjoy them over longer, lower-intensity options, that might have something to do with recent research revealing the enormous endorphin rush it offers.

And it’s not just the euphoric feels, you’ll also be pretty stoked with the results. HIIT has been found to burn more calories during the workout, as well as 24 hours after it.

Best part? You can get one done in the time it takes for the kettle to boil.