Get Schooled: 3 Workouts in Under 30 Minutes

It’s no secret that exercise has been linked to better sleep, less stress, and increased focus. All of these things are important at back to school time — for both students and parents. Whether you’re a morning or evening exerciser, moving your body is crucial for handling the shifts in routine and seasons.

In case you need inspiration, here are some of our favorite short workouts to get your blood pumping and your brain working, whether you’re a groom preparing for an upcoming wedding or a stay at home mom looking to make the most of the day.

Bodyweight Tabata

A Tabata workout means that each exercise is completed for a total of eight rounds — 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. You do each movement for 20 seconds as hard as you can, rest for 10, then do the same movement 7 more times. Rest 30 seconds — 1 minute after each completed movement.

You can make Tabata workouts as short or as long as you want by varying the number of exercises you do. The following workout is 25 minutes.

Squats
Push-ups (modified if necessary)
Lunges
Plank
Tricep dips

Download Bodyweight Tabata Workout

Dynamic Duo Workout

This workout requires dumbbells. Each pair of exercises is completed for 30 seconds for a total of 5 minutes. Exercise one is done for 30, then switch right to exercise two and repeat. Rest for 30 seconds to one minute between pairs.

Star crunch ⇔ Mountain climbers
Squats ⇔ Side lunges
Push ups ⇔ Bent over row
High knees ⇔ Overhead tricep extensions
Russian twists ⇔ Kneeling overhead press

Dynamic Duo workout This workout requires dumbbells. Each pair of exercises is completed for 30 seconds for a total of 5 minutes.

Download Dynamic Duo workout

30-min Circuit

This workout requires a set of dumbbells. Perform each movement for 45 seconds, rest for 15, then move to the next exercise. Once you complete the last exercise on the list, rest for 15 and go right back to the top for a total of six rounds.

Bicep curl + Overhead press
Jump squats
Plank step outs
Curtsy lunges
Dumbbell sit-ups [video]
Burpees

30-min Circuit This workout requires a set of dumbbells. Perform each movement for 45 seconds, rest for 15, then move to the next exercise. Once you complete the last exercise on the list, rest for 15 and go right back to the top for a total of six rounds.

Download 30 Minute Circuit

Workout Resources & Exercise Guides

Erin B.

Erin is a NASM-certified personal trainer, and a writer dedicated to focusing on physical, emotional, and mental health. When she’s not writing, she’s trying out new desserts in Chicago and relaxing with her husband Neil and her dog Donut.