Lose weight in your lunch hour: The 24 minute class that burns as many calories as a regular hour-long class Short class is tipped to be 2014's hottest fitness trend Based on 24 simple movements such as bending and squatting Claims to burn around 500 calories per class Launched in response to customer demand for time efficient, high intensity, fat burning sessions From oversleeping to work overload, we often find ourselves making excuses to skip our workout session. But a new gym class that promises to burn 500 calories in just 24 minutes hopes to put an end to that. Welcome to 24: An intense 24 minute class with 24 different exercises that is tipped to be 2014's hottest fitness trend for time poor people. Lose weight in your lunch hour: Virgin Active has launched a 24 minute class that claims to burn up to 500 calories 24 claims to provide a full intense body workout but minus the complicated moves. Virgin Active, who launched the class this week, hope to make it ideal for anyone of any level or ability. The class is based around six simple movements: bend, squat, twist, push, pull and lunge. It also incorporates a high-intensity cardio element with dynamic moves such as jumping. Speaking about the new class, which is included in a Virgin Active membership, a spokesman said: 'Recognising that one person's high intensity workout is a stroll in the park for others, 24 will cater to every level, in a truly inclusive atmosphere,' We like to move it: Based on simple movements such as press ups, bending and squatting, participants are instructed to use their own body weight in a high intensity format High intensity workouts can seem very intimidating to those other than the ultra-fit. But 24 will cater to all class members at their own level, giving a great 360 workout in 24 minutes. The movements are carried out in a specific order to maximise a full body workout in a format that will increase metabolic rate beyond what the class participant is used to, they say. The exercises will be refreshed every three months, which the class organisers say will help to ensure the body and mind is constantly challenged. They say that the new class was launched in response to customer demand for time efficient, high intensity and fat burning sessions. 'Our members are increasingly time poor but still want to achieve great results, fast,' the spokesman said. 'Our aim is to provide fitness solutions that work around our members and help them achieve results without having to spend hours in the gym,' said the spokesman. Rebecca Cox, Life After The Desk personal trainer, said: '20 minutes of high intensity intervals (with matched or 50 per cent rest) can be as good as jogging for an hour. It needs to be done properly though. People can kid themselves that they are working harder than they actually are. You really need to leave nothing behind (that is the only downside... people find it hard to really push themselves to that level of intensity). You want to go flat out for work period (normally 20 seconds to a minute) then rest for the same amount of time (or less), then go again. 'It's more fun than jogging for an hour, it gets you fitter as you are able to push harder when working in shorter intervals, you continue to burn calories at an elevated level for up to 24 hours after and you don't eat into muscle... the benefits are endless, but most of all, you don't need to have loads of time to spare.' Sylwia Pajor, Fitness Expert and Managing Director of Hypoxi, doesn't think the classes are ideal for everyone. She said: 'Classes such as 24 are fantastic for people who are very fit and healthy, however, it is not an option which is available to everyone, and especially not one for people who suffer from any past or current injuries as it causes high impact to the joints - most notably the hip, knee and ankle joints. Keep up: For 30 minutes, counted down on big screens, women work out at high intensity with short rest periods at a new class called Hiitgirl High intensity, circuit training classes such as 24 do not provide a targeted enough fitness class for people to achieve noticeable results in their problem areas and requires the user to visit the class at least three times per week to make any sort of visible difference. Despite this, it seems that intense workouts in limited time frames are fast becoming a fitness trend. Another new class, which is called Hiitgirl and is for women only, is based on the principles of high intensity interval training. Women join exercise classes dependent on their fitness and follow a trainer telling them when to work hard and when to take short rests. Exercises such as burpees, press ups and sits ups are carried out as well as core stability moves like the plank. Each class lasts half an hour but because it involves high intensity exercise, participants boost their metabolism so they keep on burning fat for hours afterwards. There's no excuses to skip that session now! Heavy lifting: Fitness props like bags are used for weight resistance in the 30 minute Hiitgirl class