123How to: Go to a park and run through this sequence three or four times a week, moving between exercises as quickly as possible. The routine is designed to make you break a sweat, and here's why: A recent study in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that exercise that makes you huff and puff may lower your risk of an early death by 13% compared with light activity.
1. Begin on a sidewalk, 10 min: Speed workout Walk, alternating between 30 seconds at a comfortable pace (you should be able to carry on a conversation easily) and 30 seconds at a brisk pace (speaking in full sentences should be difficult).
2. Move to a bench, 1 min: Sit-to-stand squats Stand with your back 8 to 12 inches away from the bench's seat. With hands on hips or straight out in front of you, bend knees and squat (make sure heels stay on the ground). As soon as your rear touches the bench, push through heels to stand back up. Repeat.
3. Find some steps, 2 min: Stair climb Choose a long flight of stairs and ascend two at a time to the top, using the handrail for stability if necessary. Pause to catch your breath, then descend stairs as usual and continue the drill.
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4. Spot the swing set, 1 min: Angled plank Place forearms on a swing, then walk feet back until body is in a straight line. Squeeze ab and glute muscles and hold position for 30 seconds. Rest, then repeat. Why this move really works: The swing's instability forces your core to engage more than it would on a stationary surface.
5. End on the curb, 1 min: Double-duty stretch Stand 12 inches in front of the curb. Place ball of right foot against it, heel on ground. Lean forward so you feel a stretch through the back of leg; simultaneously extend left arm across chest, pulling left elbow toward body with right hand. Hold 30 seconds, then switch sides.