5 quick and easy workouts for busy Mums

5 quick and easy workouts for busy Mums

So January is pretty much over and, still, I can tell I ate too much over Christmas. I haven’t been dieting this month as I don’t need to lose any weight really, I just need to tone up. I want to get the muscles back that I had in November time, the ones that were whisked away by mince pies and one too many After Eights during the festive period.

I have started exercising again. I am not a fitness guru or a lover of exercise and I don’t have a gym membership but I do know the importance of keeping your body fit and healthy and just eating salad every day isn’t going to give me a toned stomach, is it? I also know that as a Mum, there are very few opportunities in the day I have to exercise, so when I do workout I need to be doing something that is quick yet effective.

I have put together a list of 5 quick and easy workouts, for Mums (or Dads!) like me who want to tone up but don’t really have the time (or desire) to go to the gym and only a have a few minutes in the day where they aren’t changing nappies, playing silly games, doing laundry, singing nursery rhymes – oh the list just goes on and on. These workouts are all 10 minutes or less and they really work. They can all be done at home and the maximum number of Peppa Pig episodes you have to sit your toddler in front of is 2, that’s not bad at all really is it?

5 quick and easy workouts for busy mums

1. 5 minute ab workout..
This workout is only 5 minutes long but it is definitely works. I was doing this a lot last year, pretty much every day, and it didn’t take long for me to start seeing results. All you need is something heavy, I used a fat old book as I don’t own weights, but anything weighty will do. This workout is all about working your core stomach muscles but it also makes your arms and legs work hard too.
2. 10 minute fat blasting circuit

This workout is amazing. The routine works your core, arms, legs and bum and although it is only 10 minutes you will definitely be sweating when it’s over. I haven’t done this in a while but when I was doing it on a regular basis I could really notice a difference in my legs and stomach. The exercise routine requires no equipment, just make sure there are no toys/children too close by as there’s a lot of jumping around involved.
3. 10 minute bike workout

Excuse the half naked ladies in creepy bunny masks, not sure what that is all about.So you are only going to be able to do this at home if you have an exercise bike. In true New Year New Me cliché fashion, Oli bought an exercise bike on January 1st. This workout is only 10 minutes but it is intense. You pedal as fast as you can for 10 seconds and then rest for 10, you do this for the whole 10  minutes. Or, if you have a bit more time you could do what has become my favourite workout, something I like to call Netflix and Bike, it is exactly what it says on the tin. Sat watching TV and exercising? It’s a win, win kind of deal really.
4. 10 minute abs workout

Another abs workout that isn’t too long but you can really feel it working. This routine consists of 10, 45 second exercises all aimed at the abdominal muscles. I must be honest, there are a couple exercises in this video I find really difficult but, like with all exercise, it you do it regularly then it will get easier over time.
5. 10 minute yoga flow

I have saved the best until last. I just love yoga. It is my favourite type of exercise ever, and that is saying something because, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t particularly relish the thought of working out. There is just something about it, although you sometimes have to work really hard, it still feels relaxing as you are focussing so much on your breath and not so much the movement.This yoga routine focuses on working your core and will improve your flexibility as well as strength. The poses are all easy and beginner friendly and the instructor talks you through everything along the way.

How do you find the time to keep fit? Do you go to the gym or do you prefer to workout at home? If you do, I hope you found this list useful. I have used all these workouts before and am going to start doing them all again more regularly.

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If you enjoyed this post then you might also like to read..

Learning to love my postpartum body and getting fit with Lean Mums

How to make exercise something you actually enjoy (tips from a former exercise hater)

5 easy ways to be healthy

How to get fit after pregnancy

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33 Comments

  1. January 30, 2016 / 11:07 pm

    Ooh I'm going to try these out. The yoga one sounds fab, it's one of the few exercises I can do safely! #KCACOLS

  2. January 31, 2016 / 11:47 am

    Oh I need to try these out. I have just gotten back to the gym but really only been swimming and doing aqua classes but this would be perfect for first thing in the morning to tone up those extra excessive wobbly bits! #KCACOLS

  3. January 31, 2016 / 5:25 pm

    I've just bought a new fitness dvd. Was intending on running but with a OH which doesn't get home till late & dark nights it's not quite worked out. I'm hoping the new lorraine/maxine Zumba thing will do the trick. #kcacols lifeinthemumslane

  4. Charlotte TheMummyToolbox
    February 1, 2016 / 1:31 pm

    some great different workouts! it's great to use time properly and even 5 or ten minutes is better than nothing! Thanks for Linking up to #KCACOLS hope to see you back next sunday 🙂 x

  5. Mama, My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows
    February 2, 2016 / 9:43 am

    Oooh, I'm glad you shared this post. I'm trying to get fitter. I'll give these a go- thanks!

    #fartglitter

  6. February 2, 2016 / 10:40 am

    I have started Jillian Mathews 30 day shred, it only takes 25 mins with warmup and cool down. Even so I have still missed a few days. I have an exercise bike collecting dust lol #abitofeverything

  7. Zoe Forde
    February 2, 2016 / 1:01 pm

    I'm 23 with no kids and even I struggle to find the time to workout. Excellent motivating post this, thanks for sharing x #abitofeverything

  8. Mrs Tubbs
    February 2, 2016 / 1:13 pm

    Saved these for when I can face it. And Rev T is out of the house!

  9. February 2, 2016 / 3:35 pm

    These all look great…but the yoga is my nemesis! I must be horribly uncoordinated! #abitofeverything

  10. February 2, 2016 / 8:49 pm

    Yes, do the yoga one! It is so good, unlike some yoga exercises you can really feel your muscles working.Let me know how you get on 🙂 xx

  11. February 2, 2016 / 8:50 pm

    Go you, finding the motivation to go to the gym and swimming and aqau classes is better then nothing. Yes, I do these in the morning otherwise I know I won't get around to doing it at all xx

  12. February 2, 2016 / 8:50 pm

    I've usually got side eye forthese ten minute things but the Victoria Secret on is awesome, even I can stick with that! #abitofeverything

  13. February 2, 2016 / 8:51 pm

    Ohh good luck with the exercise DVD. I have never done one before, have always wanted to try Zumba though xx

  14. February 2, 2016 / 8:52 pm

    Totally agree. 10 minutes exercising is definitely better than 10minutes doing nothing. Thanks for hosting #kcacols xx

  15. February 2, 2016 / 8:53 pm

    Hope you enjoy them! Well, as much as one can enjoy exercise that is..xx

  16. February 2, 2016 / 8:54 pm

    Ohh I have not heard of that one, hope your 'shredding' goes well! Aww get the poor old bike out haha. I love my exercise bike, I can't imagine life without it now :p xx

  17. February 2, 2016 / 8:55 pm

    Glad you enjoyed it, I hope you find some time to give it a go.xx

  18. February 2, 2016 / 8:55 pm

    Haha, you can do it!xx

  19. February 2, 2016 / 8:56 pm

    Aww, really? Yoga is my favourite, it doesn't feel like proper exercise to me, I think that's why I love it 🙂 xx

  20. February 2, 2016 / 8:58 pm

    Yes, I love the Victoria secret one. I did it to get in shape for my friends wedding when I was her bridesmaid. It definitely worked, I had to get my dress made smaller, woo. Happy exercising!xx

  21. Hannah Gordon
    February 3, 2016 / 12:25 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this, I desperately want to lose the last of my baby weight but I'm forever making excuses saying I don't have the time for exercise- but this proves I don't need hours to do it. No more excuses for me 🙂 #abitofeverything

  22. Natalie Brown
    February 4, 2016 / 10:13 am

    I like that these are all within 10 minutes so very doable! Thanks for sharing! #abitofeverything

  23. Talya Stone
    February 4, 2016 / 10:54 am

    SO going to try one of these tonight! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely x

  24. Ellie at Hand Me Down Baby
    February 4, 2016 / 3:17 pm

    Oooh, I'm going to bookmark this page! I'm definitely a gym bunny…well, I have been in the past, and I'm getting back into it! I have no motivation to do stuff at home, but maybe as these are only 10mins long I could give them a try on the days that I don't go to the gym. Good post!
    #KCACOLS

  25. Modern Belle
    February 8, 2016 / 2:57 am

    I'm not a mom, but I love quick and easy workouts I can do while I travel. Thanks for a great round up! #abitofeverything

  26. Mudpie Fridays
    February 8, 2016 / 7:28 am

    I am rubbish at fitting in exercise unless you call running around the park exercise!! However these look great and I am sure I could find 10 minutes a day . Thanks for sharing #FartGlitter x

  27. February 10, 2016 / 8:43 pm

    5 minutes is better than 0 minutes. You can do it!xx

  28. February 10, 2016 / 8:45 pm

    Thanks. Yes, 10 minutes seems much less daunting than an hour long work out down the gym doesn't it? I like to exercise in the morning and then I don't have to think about it for the rest of the day.xx

  29. February 10, 2016 / 8:45 pm

    Let me know how you get on 🙂 Thanks for hosting xx

  30. February 10, 2016 / 8:46 pm

    I am glad I have helped motivate you to get moving. I hope you are recovering well from your hysterectomy lovely xx

  31. February 10, 2016 / 8:48 pm

    Thank you! Go you for braving the gym, the mere thought of it terrifies me. I am definitely much happier exercising at home. Let me know what you think of the work outs if you do try any of them out xx

  32. February 10, 2016 / 8:49 pm

    You're welcome. (p.s I didn't mean to discriminate against non-mums 🙂 ) xx

  33. February 10, 2016 / 8:50 pm

    I definitely call running around the park exercise! I find if you do them first thing in the morning it works better then trying to find 10minutes once the chaos of the day ahead begins xx