Only Got 10 Minutes? It Still Counts! Why Short Workouts Work in Midlife

One of the biggest barriers I hear from women when it comes to exercise is:

“I just don’t have time.”

And I completely understand. Work, family, appointments, looking after everyone else… sometimes finding an entire hour to exercise feels impossible.

But here’s the good news:

You don’t need an hour.

If you’ve got 10 minutes, you’ve got enough time to do something worthwhile.

In fact, current UK physical activity guidance specifically recognises that activity accumulated in small bouts — including less than 10 minutes — provides health benefits. (GOV.UK)

So we can officially stop saying:

“I’ve only got 10 minutes, so there’s no point.” 😂

1. Ten minutes gets you moving

A quick WalkFit, some squats and weights, a little Fitness Pilates or a mobility session all count towards your overall activity.

The goal isn’t for every workout to be enormous.

It’s to keep moving consistently.

And if you’ve been sitting at your desk, driving or generally not moving much, even a short session breaks up that sedentary time — something the UK guidelines specifically encourage us to do. (GOV.UK)

2. Short workouts are brilliant for consistency

This is possibly the biggest benefit.

Tell yourself you need an hour and you might decide:

“I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Tell yourself you need 10 minutes and suddenly it feels achievable.

And quite often, once you’ve started, you’ll fancy doing a little more anyway.

If you don’t? Your 10 minutes still counts.

3. You can work on strength 💪

Ten minutes is plenty of time for a focused mini strength session.

Think:

Squats.
Rows.
Shoulder presses.
Lunges.
Core work.

You won’t train every muscle in every 10-minute workout, but repeat these little sessions consistently and they can become part of a much bigger picture.

Adults are encouraged to include muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days each week, alongside regular aerobic activity. (nhs.uk)

And maintaining our strength becomes increasingly important as we move through midlife.

4. Or use those 10 minutes to MOVE

Not every workout needs to leave you hot and sweaty!

Some days your body might be asking for something gentler.

A short Fitness Pilates stretch can help you move through different ranges of motion and work on mobility. A WalkFit session gets you moving without even leaving the house.

The important bit is choosing something appropriate for your body and your energy that day.

That’s exactly why I love having lots of different types of movement available.

5. Something beats nothing

This is the message I really want you to remember.

The World Health Organization says that any amount of physical activity is better than none and all physical activity counts. (World Health Organization)

We’re very good at thinking exercise only “counts” if we’ve done a full class, been to the gym or worked incredibly hard.

It simply isn’t true.

A ten-minute workout before work.

A brisk walk at lunchtime.

Ten minutes of weights while dinner cooks.

A lovely stretch before bed.

It ALL counts.

Got 12 minutes? Do it with me! 💗

Enough reading — let’s move! I’ve recorded this 12-Minute Fitness Pilates Stretch & Reset especially for those days when you’re short on time, feeling a little stiff or simply need to move your body.

▶️ Press Play and try my FREE 12-minute workout here

Enjoyed that? There’s plenty more where that came from! Keep reading or explore my online workouts below.

The midlife exercise rule I’d love you to adopt

Stop waiting for the perfect workout.

Stop waiting until you have an hour.

Stop thinking that if you can’t do everything, there’s no point doing anything.

Instead ask yourself:

“What can I do with the time I’ve got TODAY?”

Sometimes that will be your full Fitness Pilates class.

Sometimes it’ll be a fabulous weights workout.

And sometimes…

10 minutes is absolutely enough. 💗

Consistency beats perfection every time.

💗 Ready to move with me?

I’m going to be sharing more of my 5–10 minute snackable workouts, perfect for busy days when you want to move but don’t have much time.

You can also join me at my face-to-face Fitness Pilates classes in Welwyn, including my NEW Thursday 9.30am class, or exercise whenever suits you with my online membership and its huge library of Fitness Pilates, weights, HIIT, WalkFit, stretch and more.

Explore Vikki Davis Fitness and start your 15-day free trial

Helping midlife women feel strong, confident and happy again. 💗