How to use the 30 second timer
- The timer is already set to 30 seconds. Press Start or the space bar.
- Press space again to pause, and R to go back to 30 seconds for the next round.
- When the alarm rings, press space or Stop alarm. Change the seconds box to try 20 or 45 seconds.
What 30 seconds is good for
Thirty seconds is a common work interval in circuit training: 30 seconds of squats, push-ups or a plank, then a short rest before the next move. It’s also a sensible first target for a plank if you’re new to it. Dentists suggest brushing for two minutes in total, which works out at 30 seconds for each quarter of your mouth, and many mouthwash labels ask you to rinse for 30 seconds.
Away from exercise, 30 seconds is a good limit for a quick-fire game round, a spelling or times-table drill, or practising a short spoken introduction. A pitch you can say clearly in 30 seconds is usually easy for others to remember.
Counting short intervals
For a set of rounds, keep a tally on paper and restart the timer with the space bar after each alarm. To count up instead of down, for example to see how long you can hold a plank, use the online stopwatch. For longer rounds, try the 1 minute timer.