Forget running – this four-move workout boosts fitness levels and builds strength in 15 minutes

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“By incorporating exercises that target multiple muscle groups, circuit training can help to increase your metabolism and burn calories even after your workout is over,” – this is also known as the ‘afterburn effect’. “When combined with a healthy diet, circuit training can be an effective way for people to lose weight.”

Get ready for this workout by starting with a two-minute warm-up. Then, you'll move on to three rounds of four exercises, each done for 40 seconds of work and followed by a 20-second rest. You'll do a total of three rounds of the exercises, and finish with a one-minute cool-down. Keep in mind that an ideal weight is one that's challenging yet allows you to maintain proper form throughout. Here's the workout plan:

Warm-up

• Skipping or jumping jacks

Main workout

• Goblet squats
• Incline push-up (this can be done against a wall or a chair)
• Bent over dumbbell row
• Step-ups using a chair or sturdy object (use a box or similar surface isn't recommended, using a proper chair is advisable for safety reasons)

Cool down

15 seconds each

• Standing quad stretch
• Childs pose
• Cross-body tricep stretch
• Touch your toes

Using dumbbells will get your heart rate up and is also excellent for engaging the core muscles.