The three-second workout

1 minute read


Working out for as little as three seconds of exercise every day can tone your muscles. And other fantasies…


Struggling to find time for the gym? Why not try micro-exercise? 

Researchers have now tested a muscle toning routine that takes less time than opening the fridge door to look for a snack. 

Their study suggests that just three seconds of weightlifting every day can improve muscle conditioning. 

The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, randomly assigned a group of 23 people to either lift weights for three seconds a day for a month or a no-exercise control group.

“Performing one three-second maximal voluntary contraction a day increased muscle strength,” the researchers concluded.

So, is this the latest in a long line of get-off-easy exercise programs built on wishful thinking? 

Or is this some kind of Atomic Habits inspired idea to encourage everyone to start lifting?

Whatever, we’re not sure it’s going to get you to the equivalent of the Australian government approved “2.5 to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity” per week.

Three seconds of dog lifting can also improve muscle strength.

Hopeless at the gym? Spend a precious three seconds dropping us a line – felicity@medicalrepublic.com.au

End of content

No more pages to load

Log In Register ×