20 minute workout routine

The power went out and your alarm didn't go off...You look at your watch and realize your plan to go to the gym this morning is probably ruined. It normally takes you an hour to workout, but if you're going to make it to your big meeting, you only have 20 to 25 minutes. Oh hell, you think, might as well scrap the idea of going to the gym...You can't get a good workout in 20 minutes.

Well, if that sounds like your day, I have a 20 minute workout routine that will change your day. It will tax your work capacity, make you stronger, and help you lose weight...and you'll still have time to make it to the meeting.

It's a common myth that you need to spend hours in the gym to get results. You can thank all those darn body builders for that...Just read through some of the body building magazines. The workout routines shown in those rags will keep you in the gyms for hours doing doing bicep curls from 16 different angles.

Unless you're planning on being a competitive bodybuilder, this is nothing but wasted time. And frankly, I could find a lot more productive things to do with my time, and I'm sure you can, too.

And, it's not just body builders who suffer from "more is better" thinking...The same is true of many aerobic exercisers. They can spend an hour on the treadmill plodding away, thinking that they are get a great workout...But, once you do this routine, you're goint to realize that there are more time efficient ways to workout...20 minutes is all you need.

Completing your workout in 20 minutes

The key to getting out of the gym in 20 minutes, while getting a great workout in, is to put a lot of effort into the short span of time that you do have...That means you've got to be intense...You must work near your threshold.

In this workout, you'll do a number of exercises in a circuit. The exercises are designed to work you hard...You won't be doing any bicep curls because concentrating on a single muscle is a waste of time. You want your whole body involved.

You also won't be sitting or lying down while you exercise. That'll only make things easy, and easy won't cut it...at least not if you want results for your 20 minutes worth of effort.

Before you get started, this workout will require some basic training items: You will need a pair of dumbells, pull up bar, and a jump rope. Also, be mentally prepared for this, it is really going to push you hard.

The workout:

• Jump rope - 30 seconds
• Weighted dumbell squats and press. When you reach the top of the squat (you are fully extended), then press the dumbells overhead. -  15 reps.
• Jump rope - 30 seconds
• Push ups - 15 reps
• Jump rope - 30 seconds
• Pull ups - as many reps as you can do in 30 seconds
• Jump rope - 30 seconds
• Weighted dumbell squats with press - 15 reps
• Rest one minute and repeat three more times, or until your 20 minutes is up.

With rest, the first set should take you about 5 minutes. I used to do a lot of these 20 minute workout routines when I was kickboxing. They were meant to simulate the the rounds in a match, and were a great way to get into shape for a fight.

As you progress, you may consider adding another round or two. Of course, this will add some additional time, and it won't be a 20 minute workout routine anymore, but it will be a good workout.