7 High-Intensity Workouts that Take 20 Minutes or LESS

7 High-Intensity Workouts that Take 20 Minutes or LESS

Trust us—they fit into even the busiest schedules

We get it. On a scale of zero to 10, your motivation to work out over the holidays ranks a negative two. Plus, who has to time to squeeze in exercise during family time? The answer: you. Here's when high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is super helpful.

HIIT consists of short, intense bursts of exercise with either active recovery (like less intense exercise) or complete rest in between. Cardio workouts and strength routines both qualify—they can both get your heart pumping AND fire up your metabolism thanks to the phenomenon known asafterburn. You can get a super effective workout in 20 minutes or less—even in as few as 4 minutes if you do Tabata-style training (20 seconds hard, 10 seconds easy).

Since HIIT is one of the hottest fitness trends for 2014, why not get a jumpstart on a fitter you for the new year! Try one of these high-intensity workouts while the family's opening presents, as you wait for the turkey to cook, or right before A Christmas Story begins—seriously, you can do them almost anywhere, anytime.

The 5-Minute Fat-Blasting Workout

The Fast-and-Furious Cardio Interval Routine

A Super Fast Workout You Can Do Right Now

The 5-Minute Dumbbell Workout That Will Kick Your Butt

Get Stronger—FAST 

The 15-Minute No-Equipment Workout

The Quick Workout That Will Boost Your Fat Burn