It would be great to be able to guarantee that you will be able to attend a step class every Tuesday and Thursday evening, but that pesky little thing called life can often mess up even the most dedicated exerciser’s plans. Before you bemoan the waste of what could have been a great fitness day, consider some of the sneakier ways you can fit aerobic exercise into your schedule.

Stair Strength
Stairs really are an easy way to burn some calories and strengthen your muscles. If your daily commute involves the subway, make a point of bypassing the escalator in favor of stairs; if you park your car in a garage, skip the elevator for once. As you walk up or down the stairs, make a point of not only working your legs, but also keeping your abdominal muscles tight for twice the impact.

Take the 10 minutes you normally spend in the office breakroom and put it toward fitness time instead. If your office building has a stairwell, spend those 10 minutes walking up and down the stairs at a brisk pace. You could burn up to 100 calories during that small part of your workday.

Early to Rise
Sometimes the last thing you want to do first thing in the morning is go for a walk or run, but there are occasions in which early morning is the only chance you’ll get. Set the alarm for 30 minutes earlier than you’d normally wake up and commit to dragging yourself out of bed. Even a little walk or jog can help get your body moving, and it helps you to feel more energized during the morning hours. An easy trick to help you get moving is to wear your workout clothes to bed – it eliminates one step that might otherwise encourage you to hit snooze.

Drop and Give Yourself 10
Several times throughout the workday, rise out of your desk chair and drop into push-up formation. If you are able to perform 10 pushups each session, the overall physical output will surprise you by the end of the day. If pushups aren’t your particular cup of tea, consider dropping into a plank pose. The pose, which looks like the top of a pushup, is great for toning your arms, legs and abs.