Build Strength with Just a 15-Minute Weekly Workout

Medium - Requires some preparation Recommended

At an annual strategy summit, two executives were stuck in afternoon lethargy after long keynote sessions. One returned to her hotel gym, finished a 15-minute circuit of five machines pushed to muscle failure, and then completed short treadmill sprints. The result? She entered the boardroom an hour later with revitalized focus, a visible energy boost, and a testosterone surge that lifted her team’s morale. Meanwhile, her counterpart who skipped exercise felt dragging fatigue—and missed key insights. This rapid, science-backed blend of compound lifts and HIIT sprints harnesses mTOR suppression and growth-hormone release in under a quarter hour.

Pick five compound machines and load them for muscle failure in about two minutes each. Rest just enough—under two minutes—before moving on. Then applaud yourself with 30-second sprints until fifteen minutes are up. This hack uses every second efficiently to flood your system with fat-burning, strength-building signals—ideal for packed schedules and peak performance. Give it a test at lunch break tomorrow.

What You'll Achieve

You’ll experience a powerful surge in strength hormones, sharper focus, and lasting stamina from minimal time investment. Externally, you’ll save hours while maintaining or improving your muscle mass and cardiovascular health.

Trigger Growth Hormone with High-Intensity Lifts

1

Choose five compound machines

Pick seated row, chest press, pulldown, overhead press, and leg press. Familiarize yourself with one trainer session to ensure safe form.

2

Use heavy weight to muscle fatigue

Load each machine so you reach failure—no extra reps possible—in about 90–120 seconds. Keep rest between machines to under 2 minutes.

3

Finish with a single HIIT sprint

Immediately after lifting, do a 30-second all-out sprint on a track or treadmill, then rest for 90 seconds. Repeat until 15 total minutes have passed.

Reflection Questions

  • What’s one place in your daily schedule for a 15-minute power workout?
  • How might a weekly strength-and-sprint routine impact your energy on meeting-packed days?
  • Which five machines at your local gym will you focus on first?

Personalization Tips

  • A busy CEO logs into her office gym for a single 15-minute push-pull routine and feels stronger all week.
  • A dad uses his hotel gym on Monday morning for two quick lifts, his body primed for hours of meetings.
  • An actor knocks out power-lifting machines and one treadmill sprint before breakfast and still makes it to set on time.
The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life
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The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life

Dave Asprey 2014
Insight 5 of 7

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