20 Min Hiit Cardio Workout

When it comes to interval training, I’ve found that you either love it or hate it. Regardless, it can be in insanely effective way to see fitness results in a short amount of time (and Tabata workouts are a great way to get started!). This 20 min HIIT cardio workout is easy to implement (you only need one dumbbell) and it targets every major muscle group in your body.

20 Min HIIT Cardio Workout

Reverse Lunge With Parlof Press 8/leg
Plank Jacks 30s
Sumo Squats With 3 second Bottom Pause 10
Bounds 30s
Reverse Plank With Leg Lift 8 per leg

Perform each exercise back to back for the prescribes repetitions or time. Rest for thirty to forty-five seconds and repeat for a total of three rounds.

This 20 Minute HIIt Cardio workout combines both strength and cardiovascular exercises. The strength exercises are combo exercises (meaning they target more than one muscle group) and the cardio intervals require you to perform a plyometric type exercise (check out why new mamas should avoid plyometrics here!)

Fun disclaimer: this 20 min HIIT cardio workout is designed for fun and the “average person”. I don’t know you or your abilities/strengths. If something feels off or wrong, stop. There are always ways to modify a movement and you should not work through pain. If you need help creating a workout geared specifically for you, check out my personal training website here.

Reverse Lunge With Parlof Press

Perform eight repetitions on each leg.

Begin standing upright with the dumbbell at chest height
Step back with your right leg and lower into a lunge position
Keep the weight evenly distributed in the front foot making sure to bend the back knee- do not lean forward
Press the weight out away from the chest only as far as you can maintain your lunge position
Return the weight to your chest and complete the lunge by standing up

This combo exercise forces you to hold an isometric contraction in the lower body while you use your core muscles to press out the weight. It’s a wonderful full body movement.

Plank Jacks

Perform this exercise for 30 seconds.

Come into a plank position on your hands.
Do not let your low back drop towards the floor
Keeping the weight in your hands jump the legs out to the sides of the body
Jump the feet back in

This exercise is takes planking up to a new level by adding in a plyometric jump. Keep the core engaged and the hands under the shoulders (not pushing away) for maximum effect

Sumo Squats With pause

Perform this exercise for 10 reps

Come into a sumo squat position with the feet wide and toes turned out slightly
Hold the weight like a goblet at your chest
Slowly lower into a bottom squat position taking extra care to open up the inner thighs and drive the knees out in line with the feet
Pause at the bottom of the squat for three seconds while engaging the glutes
Return to starting position

A challenging isometric progression to traditional sumo squats. The glutes are very engaged in this exercise and the pause makes them work overtime.

Bear Crawls

Perform this exercise for thirty seconds

come onto all fours lifting the knees so that they hover above the ground
keeping the hips low move one hand and the opposite leg forward
repeat on the other side and begin to crawl forward
perform the crawls forward and backwards

This exercise targets the entire body but there’s extra work needed from the quads and shoulders. It takes us back to basic movements and really gets the hips and surrounding muscles fired up.

Reverse Plank With Leg Lift

Perform eight repetitions on each leg

sitting on your bum place your hands behind you so that they are facing out sideways or away from you
bend the knees so the feet are underneath the knees
use your glutes to raise the hips into a plank or table top position
keeping the hips lifted, contract the right glute too stabilize and lift the left foot off the floor
return the foot and repeat on the other side

This exercise not only targets the glutes but requires mobility in the shoulders. It’s challenges the body to hold the position and work on stability.

This 20-min HIIT cardio workout can be done anywhere- all you need is one dumbbell. It’s a great option when you’re short on time and looking to boost your strength and endurance.

This workout requires all the muscles in your body and is a sure-fire way to get you sweaty.