Fast-track your fitness with five minutes of exercise each day

Exercises such as sit-ups, pull-ups, and standing in place, in short spells, can improve strength

A recent study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that just five minutes of daily strength training for four weeks significantly improved physical fitness and mental health in sedentary individuals.

Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren has been following a simple, 12-minute exercise routine for six decades. She is an advocate of the Royal Canadian Air Force women’s exercise regimen, also known as XBX or the ‘10 basic exercises,’ a programme designed in the 1950s.

I have always believed in short snatches of exercise: Sit-ups after getting out of bed, press-ups while waiting for the kettle to boil, and standing on one leg while brushing my teeth.