We’ve all had those days where life just feels… a lot.
You’ve got work, the kids, the house, the endless to-do list, and by the time you finally get five minutes to yourself, the thought of finding an hour to exercise feels impossible.
So you end up thinking…
“What’s the point? Twenty minutes isn’t going to make a difference anyway.”
But here’s the thing.
It absolutely can.
Stop waiting for the perfect workout
One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they need loads of time before they can exercise.
“I’ll start when work calms down.”
“I’ll do a proper workout at the weekend.”
“I’ll wait until the kids go back to school.”
Before you know it, another month has gone by.
Instead of asking yourself, “What’s the ideal workout?”, try asking yourself, “What can I realistically stick to?”
Because that’s the routine that’s actually going to change your health.
Why 20 minutes works
The reason our classes are 20 minutes isn’t because that’s all you need for an effective workout (and one you can realistically stick to!)
I’d rather help you build a habit that fits around your life than give you something that feels impossible to keep up with.
Twenty minutes is long enough to build strength, improve your fitness, boost your mood and leave you feeling more energised…
…but it’s also short enough that most people can find the time.
And when something feels achievable, you’re far more likely to come back tomorrow.
That’s where the magic happens! Not in one incredible workout but in hundreds of ordinary ones.
“But aren’t we meant to do 150 minutes a week?”
This is where people often panic.
The good news is that your workouts aren’t the only movement that counts!
Walking the dog.
Running around after the kids.
Taking the stairs.
Parking a little further away.
Going for an evening stroll.
It all contributes to your overall activity levels.
So if you’re doing a few 20-minute workouts each week and staying active in everyday life, you’re often much closer to the recommendations than you think.
The most important part
Now, this doesn’t mean you can just coast through those 20 minutes.
You still need to challenge yourself.
Choose weights that make those last few repetitions feel tough.
Focus on your technique.
Stay present.
Twenty minutes of focused exercise will always beat an hour where you’re scrolling your phone between every set.
The best routine is the one you’ll still be doing in six months
If you take one thing away from this blog, let it be this…
Please stop worrying about whether 20 minutes is “enough.”
Instead, ask yourself whether it’s something you can keep doing.
Because health isn’t built by one amazing workout.
It’s built by showing up, again and again, even on the busy days.
And if 20 minutes helps you do that, then I’d say that’s more than enough.
This topic came from one of our weekly Squad Q&As, where I answer members’ questions about all things health, fitness and mindset.
The Squad is currently closed, but we’ll be reopening in September. If you’d like to be first to hear when the doors open, pop your name on the waiting list by sending me a message here.
And if you enjoy this kind of honest, no-nonsense advice, come and listen to the Lorna Marie Fitness Podcast on YouTube or Spotify.
