Want to get fit? This 10-minute HIIT workout is all you need

You don't need complex routines or expensive equipment for this short fat-burning routine

Two people doing a HIIT workout at home
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Taking up a fitness routine for the first time can seem daunting. Whether you're a casual exerciser or new to training, there's a seemingly endless list of requirements, workouts, and diet plans.

If you're at a loss of where to start, you only need a set of the best cross training shoes. These have ankle support you won't find on running shoes so that you can take on a range of activities with a single pair. 

They're also ideal for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). In these short sessions, usually 20 minutes or less, you'll train hard for half a minute and then have a short rest before moving on to the next move. 

But if you'd prefer to avoid in-person classes, there are plenty of great YouTube HIIT workouts, like this 10-minute beginner's routine from fitness trainer Frank Medrano.

For this session, you'll train for 20 seconds, followed by a 10-second rest, then continue to the next move. Fortunately, the instructors also demo each activity, so you can follow along and perfect your form.  

Watch Frank Medrano's beginner HIIT workout

The routine is short, so you can easily fit it in around your schedule, and it is also less intense than some others. In many HIIT routines, you'd train for 40 seconds with a 20-second rest instead. 

More generally, HIIT is a good starting point, as the workout is as challenging as you can make it. Similarly, this short workout is entirely equipment-free, so you can do it wherever you are. 

As one YouTube user commented, "great to see a full body workout without the use of weights." This can be a common frustration for anyone starting on their fitness journey. 

Adding weights into your bodyweight or HIIT workouts can make it more challenging, although building muscle is an excellent way to burn fat and get fitter. 

But before you invest in a set of the best adjustable dumbbells, you probably want to experiment with various training styles to see which you enjoy. After all, you're more likely to stick to workouts you enjoy. 

If you're after an affordable way to add resistance training to your schedule, consider a set of the best resistance bands instead. These budget-friendly, space-saving bands are an excellent alternative to weights. 

James Frew
Fitness Editor

James is a London-based journalist and Fitness Editor at Fit&Well. He has over five years experience in fitness tech, including time spent as the Buyer’s Guide Editor and Staff Writer at technology publication MakeUseOf. In 2014 he was diagnosed with a chronic health condition, which spurred his interest in health, fitness, and lifestyle management.


In the years since, he has become a devoted meditator, experimented with workout styles and exercises, and used various gadgets to monitor his health. In recent times, James has been absorbed by the intersection between mental health, fitness, sustainability, and environmentalism. When not concerning himself with health and technology, James can be found excitedly checking out each week’s New Music Friday releases.