If the thought of squeezing in a workout makes you groan, there’s good news: your daily hustle might already be doing more than you think—if you move fast enough.
A new study published in the journal Circulation suggests that doing everyday chores briskly can deliver significant heart health benefits—even if you never set foot in a gym. Researchers tracked the movements of over 24,000 adults who reported getting little to no structured exercise.
In fact, for some participants, moving with urgency—even in short bursts—cut their cardiovascular risk in half compared to those who approached tasks at a leisurely pace.
We’re not talking about marathon training here. The benefits came from everyday activities done at a quicker clip: think speed-scrubbing the toilet, hustling to take out the trash, or even power-walking between errands.
The findings challenge traditional assumptions about fitness and open the door for people who struggle to find time—or motivation—for structured workouts. According to the study’s lead author, it’s less about formal exercise and more about how you move through your day. “It’s a good idea to find ways to fit exertion into your daily life,” they said. “But that doesn’t mean you have to actually exercise.”
So if you’re constantly on the go, multitasking your way through laundry, dishes, and dog walks—good news: you might be giving your heart a solid workout without realizing it.
Just don’t forget to breathe.
