It is now well known that short periods of exercise are extremely beneficial for health. In fact, a recent study from the University of Milan shows that “microwalks” of 10 to 60 seconds with breaks in between use up to 60% more energy than the same duration of a longer walk – like a car consuming more energy. than a long journey.

That’s why I put this together exercise list what you can do at your kitchen island to utilize your time – small sets of activities taken regularly throughout the day that can be more effective and beneficial than long, one-off workouts in which we struggle integrate.

For me, these short exercise sessions which I call “sports snacking” consists of developing muscle mass. People think they need to do cardio and get their heart pumping. But strength training is really important because the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you’re going to burn, even at rest.

For those over 65, even a minute of exercise is beneficial because it builds fitness and muscles – it’s also good for the mind. As Marie Murphy, professor of exercise and health at the University of Ulster, says: “Short bouts of exercise are great for distracting you from what you’re currently doing and changing your focus. »

So try these exercises against your counter or kitchen island when the kettle is boiling, you’re timing something in the oven, or you’re waiting for the dishwasher to stop.