Q: I don’t have enough time for long workouts. How can I shorten my workouts while getting the same benefits?

A: These days, it’s hard to find time to workout. But that’s not an excuse! Like most things, it’s about working smarter, not harder.

One way to shorten your workouts is to make sure you are not wasting time at the gym. Resting too long between your sets, waiting for a specific piece of equipment, or doing too much in one day can all be unproductive. Resting too long takes away from the effectiveness of your exercises. This includes avoiding long conversations between sets and, yes, talking on a cell phone. Also, if you are planning to use a certain machine, be prepared to do another comparable exercise.

Another way to get a great short workout is to do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). In this type of workout, you remain constantly active while alternating between moderate and maximum effort. For example, you could switch between jogging and sprinting on the treadmill, using 30-second or one-minute intervals. HIIT is exploding in popularity right now, so if you are interested, make sure to consult a doctor or a fitness professional and start getting its awesome health benefits.

Working out should be enjoyable, and it doesn’t have to take up all your free time. Use these tips and you are sure to be well on your way to great, shorter workouts!

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver, B.C. For more info call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit KarpFitness.com. You can also find Karp Fitness on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.