One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to reaching fitness goals? Lack of time. Any worth their weight will tell you that the key to achieving any objective is consistency, but how do you maintain a training routine when you’re juggling a job, family, social life, and general day-to-day responsibilities? Quick answer: Micro workouts. Also known as , micro workouts are condensed training sessions that take a fraction of the time of a typical workout to complete, and research exploring their efficacy looks positive.

published in the journal concluded that, in comparison to traditional forms of exercise, micro workouts offer a "viable, time-efficient, and convenient strategy that leads to improvement in cardiovascular fitness, metabolic capacity, and muscular function in sedentary individuals." In short, they . If you’re committed to achieving a fitness goal but don’t have the capacity to sweat through multiple 40-odd minute sessions a week (or, if you simply want to dial back your training for the summer), then keep reading.

Here, personal trainer explains why micro workouts might form part of a winning formula for you. Don't miss our guides to the and top tips, while you're at it. “Micro workouts are short bursts of physical activity that can be easily incorporated into your day,” Long explains.

“They can involve various exercises such as bodyweight movements, resistance training, or even , otherwise known as HIIT.” The general idea, Long elaborates, is to inte.