You don’t need the gym to build strength, try this 10-minute kettlebell workout instead

a photo of a man bending to pick up a kettlebell
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Not everyone looking to maintain a strong and healthy physique has the time or desire to spend hours in the gym, and that's ok. You can still get results outside the gym — you just need to find effective and efficient workouts that will challenge you and keep you motivated. If you need a bit of this in your life then we think you'll like this full-body workout that only takes 10 minutes to complete and minimal equipment.

The routine comes from trainer and physical therapist Dr. Colin Pasque and is designed to challenge your endurance, strength, and coordination with a high-intensity circuit and one of the best kettlebells.

It's a 'metcon' style workout, which is short for metabolic conditioning. This is a type of high-intensity training that combines cardiovascular exercise and strength training. MetCon workouts typically involve a series of intense, short bursts of exercise followed by short rest periods. You can expect the workout to target various muscle groups and give your endurance, strength, and cardio health a great boost.

Fancy giving this 10-minute session a go? 

Watch Dr. Colin Pasque's 10-minute kettlebell workout

The idea is to work on each exercise for just 20 seconds, take 10 seconds rest between each move and aim to complete three rounds in total, allowing for a longer 30 seconds rest period between rounds.

Pasque's circuit is a full-body workout, which adds to the efficiency of things. Working through the six exercises, you'll power up your legs and glutes with big moves like Kettlebell Thrusters and Jump Lunge Shuffles. The Kettlebell Burpees and Crush Push Ups will target the muscles in your chest and arms. 

When you hit the Kettlebell Sit Up to Press you should feel the burn in your core, and last but not least you'll finish on a good test for your cardio and agility with the Lateral Hop Overs.

The metcon style of training is a great way to boost your body's afterburn effect, also known as EPOC. As the circuit will be pushing your body with short bursts of intense activity and brief rest, you will use up more oxygen during and after the workout. Therefore, you'll burn more calories even when you're no longer exercising.

Unfortunately, one 10-minute kettlebell workout isn't going to be the answer to hitting your fitness goals but it is a great time-saving way to raise your heart rate, work on building lean muscle mass and keep up your overall fitness levels. You should aim to gradually increase the intensity or duration of your training to continue challenging your body and prevent plateaus.

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Jessica Downey
Fitness Writer

Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career.

Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge.

When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking.