Think back to the last time you had two minutes to kill...
If you're like me, it probably happened this morning while you were waiting for your coffee to finish brewing... or for the microwave to beep.
It's tempting to whip out our phones to fill that time. You might start checking e-mails... or even "doomscroll" (that's the habit of scrolling through the seemingly endless news or social media feeds).
But I have a better idea for how you can spend those minutes...
Instead of doing zilch, grab a snack. But not the kind that you eat... I'm talking about "exercise snacks."
This term first appeared in scientific literature around 20 years ago. And it refers to brief bursts of vigorous physical activity.
Exercise snacks can last anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes and can be scattered throughout your day. But they aren't necessarily intended to replace your daily walk, gym session, or other structured workout regimen...
Rather, they're a way to take advantage of those little pockets of free time sprinkled throughout your day... time that you'd otherwise spend sitting or staying still.
You're probably wondering... Can just a few minutes really make a difference?
Sounds too good to be true, right?
As it turns out, those bite-sized bursts of movement can add up in ways you wouldn't expect...
The Big Benefits of Exercise 'Snacking'
Recent research shows these short bursts of exercise can make a noticeable difference to your fitness...
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in January examined 11 randomized-controlled trials involving 414 inactive adults.
Researchers defined exercise snacks as workouts of moderate-to-vigorous intensity lasting no more than five minutes. They were performed at least twice a day, at least three times per week, for at least two weeks. The study periods ranged from four to 12 weeks.
Compared with the "non-snacker" control group, folks who performed these short bursts of exercise significantly improved their cardiorespiratory fitness. And older participants saw modest improvements in muscular endurance – which is how well your muscles can keep working without tiring easily. That included doing better on repeated sit-to-stand movements.
Having the ability to rise from a chair with ease might not sound like a big deal. But it is an important measure of the lower-body strength seniors need to maintain their mobility and independence.
One more thing... Participants generally stuck with the exercises – their adherence rate was nearly 83%.
Now, these tiny workouts are by no means a miracle cure. But getting any exercise in – even just a few minutes – adds up... especially since so few of us get enough physical activity in the first place.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only about 1 in 4 American adults are active enough to meet the federal recommendations for aerobic and strength exercises. Those recommendations are at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise done weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
Exercise snacks won't replace a full workout. But they're absolutely better than doing nothing. And if you're intimidated by the idea of carving out 30 minutes or more for uninterrupted exercise, these shorter workouts would be a great start to your fitness journey.
Another review and meta-analysis published this year looked at 10 studies involving 313 insufficiently active older adults. Each participant performed exercise snacks of any intensity twice per day for no more than 10 minutes each time.
The researchers found this exercise improved lower-body strength. And once again, participants stuck to the program, with an average adherence rate of 85%.
If you're a longtime reader, you might recall a similar form of exercise that I've discussed before: VILPA.
It stands for "vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity." The main difference between the two is that while exercise snacks are more like planned mini workouts, VILPA is part of everyday life. Examples include walking up a hill quickly or carrying heavy grocery bags from your car.
A 2022 study tracked the physical activity of 25,241 sedentary older adults using wearables. It found that participants who did about three VILPA sessions daily (with each lasting one to two minutes) had lower rates of death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer over roughly seven years.
It's clear... Any movement counts, even if it's done in tiny bursts.
How I Like to 'Snack'
Start by picking out three moments when you can fit a short exercise into your day. For example, you can perform 15 squats while you're brewing your coffee... do countertop push-ups while you're microwaving your lunch... or walk a quick lap around the house during the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show.
The key is to make that small burst of activity feel like a real workout... Your heart rate should rise, and your breathing should speed up. Just make sure to choose activities that are OK for your current fitness level.
Finally, remember that snacks are no substitute for a real meal... So don't ditch your strength workout or your regular cardio. Instead, think of this as a way to supplement your fitness and keep yourself in the physical-activity groove on days when a full workout doesn't happen.
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? Don't be duped by this dangerous myth about aging.
- Something different: Check out these 15 tasty school lunches from around the world.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
August 6, 2026