If you want to boost heart health and longevity, try this ten-minute strength workout

A man performs a dumbbell lateral raise in a living room. He stands with his arms out to the side and light dumbbells in each hand. Behind him we see a curtain and decorative shelving filled with books, plants and candles.

You don’t always need to spend an hour exercising to get an effective workout. When you’re busy or tired or overwhelmed it makes more sense to do a quick session rather than nothing at all. It’s also easier to commit to regular, short sessions than long grueling workouts.

Short bursts of exercise can still offer big rewards according to research in the European Heart Journal. The 2022 study found that just 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week was linked to a 40% lower risk of heart disease.