QUICK CALORIE TORCHERS

You don't need lots of time or space to fit a killer workout into your day. Grab a yoga mat, a pair of dumbbells and a timer to get your sweat on in no time.

The key to fast, effective workouts is to get your heart rate pumpin' as you target major muscle groups to strengthen and tone. These 10, 10-minute workouts have been designed and tested to boost your calorie burn as you strengthen your body. Don't expect them to be easy — the only way to get the most out of a short workout is to work your body hard. Do one routine per day, or mix and match for longer workouts when you have the extra time.

1

Jumping cardio workout

Mark an "X" on the ground using tape or items from around the house. I used two resistance bands to mark the space. Perform each exercise continuously for a full minute before moving on to the next exercise. Perform the entire series twice for a total of 10 minutes.

The routine:

• Lateral hops
• Agility quick feet
• Forward/backward hops
• Agility quick feet
• X-hops

Lateral hops

Hop from side to side over the vertical line of the marked out space. Hop as fast as you can, but be sure to keep your knees and hips slightly bent when you land to protect your joints.

Agility quick feet

Stand with your right foot in the back right square created by the X and your left foot in the back left square. As fast as you can, step each foot forward into the front right and left squares respectively and then back again.

Forward/backward hops

Hop from front to back over the horizontal line of the marked out space. Hop as fast as you can, but be sure to keep your knees and hips slightly bent when you land to protect your joints.

X-hops

Start in the back left square created by the X. Hop diagonally forward with both feet to the front right square, then immediately back to the back right square, then diagonally forward again to the front left square, and finally hopping immediately back to the starting square. Continue this diagonal-back-diagonal-back formation.