Fitting in an hour-long workout isn’t always realistic. But finding 10 minutes? That’s a little more achievable.

The question is: is it enough?

For calisthenics coach Kace Hollingsworth, the answer is yes. He believes 10 minutes is enough to rack up a surprisingly high amount of training volume, which is why he created the 1-10 Method – a minimalist approach that centres each workout around a single exercise.

Hollingsworth’s 1-10 Method isn’t tied to a fixed workout length. Sessions revolve around one movement and can be extended well beyond 10 minutes, but Hollingsworth says that’s the minimum effective dose – making it easy to fit into even the busiest day.

‘Anyone has 10 minutes,’ he says.

The method uses an EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) format.

Choose one exercise and perform between one and 10 reps at the start of every minute. Whatever time remains in that minute becomes your rest before the next set begins.

Exactly how many reps you perform should depend on both the exercise and your current ability. But even at the upper end of the range, the numbers add up quickly.

‘So if we did push-ups, 10 reps every minute on the minute for 10 minutes, you would complete 100 reps in only 10 minutes,’ Hollingsworth explains. ‘So it’s fantastic to get in high-quality volume in less time.’

Of course, 10 reps isn’t the goal if you’re white-knuckling your way to failure from the opening rounds. Choose a rep target you can repeat with good technique throughout the session, reducing the reps if your form starts to break down.

Hollingsworth says the method can challenge your cardio and muscular endurance while improving your work capacity – your ability to perform and recover from repeated bouts of exercise.

As the workout becomes easier, he recommends extending the session or progressing to a more challenging exercise variation.

Beginners can simply do the opposite.

‘It can be done with regressions so you could do kneeling push-ups or incline push-ups to make it easier. You don’t have to do 10 reps per set, it can be 1-10 so literally anyone can start.’

The method is a reminder that effective training doesn’t always require complicated programming. Sometimes all you need is one exercise, 10 minutes and a rep target you can sustain.

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Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.