Oh, if only we could tack an extra hour on to every day. Those extra sixty minutes would without a doubt answer the age-old question of how to possibly get everything done and still be home in time for dinner. An extra hour would surely get us fitter faster, stronger, swifter and healthy more hastily…or would it?

Hard-core fitness pros have been known to choose quality over quantity in their everyday workouts – and thankfully, more and more of us mere mortals are finally starting to catch on. Hours of slaving away at the gym is now being seen as a thing of the past, and many experts are touting the benefits of shorter, more efficient workouts that can fit into any schedule. These quick routines not only improve our bodies in record time, but can also make us more productive at work, more loving at home, and more fulfilled way after we leave the gym. We’ve been hard at work testing this theory out, and all evidence points to proof positive: less is more!

To start off, we’ve thrown together five cardio sets that burn serious calories and can be done on the treadmill in only fifteen minutes. 9-5 getting you down? Pop into your neighborhood fitness facility for a lunch-break quickie, and be showered and out with time to spare. We recommend a couple minutes of brisk walking beforehand, especially if you’ve been sitting all day. Ready? Let’s run!