The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That's Smarter, Faster, Shorter

by Martin Gibala

The progressive decrease in energy stores triggers all sorts of adaptations. The longer you exercise in this manner, the better the effect. We know by now though that there’s another, faster way to activate this switch. This way flips the switch by depleting the energy stores quickly. It’s the rate at which you deplete your energy, rather than the energy store’s absolute level. And the faster you deplete the energy stores, the better. You make the energy stores go down really fast? Then you get a lot of exercise effects. The most time-effective way to get exercise effects using this method is to exercise as hard as you’re able. And it’s best to repeat your burst a few times in a row—to do at least a couple of intervals. To flip the switch this way, it matter less how long you exercise. What’s more important is that when you do exercise, you go hard.