20-Minute Workout Timer with Sound Alerts

I like twenty minutes because it’s short enough to start today and long enough to matter. When I add sound cues, I stop staring at the screen. I pace better, switch on time, and leave energy for tomorrow. If you want a simple 20 mins timer with clear audio, this guide shows exactly how I set it up.

Why sound cues keep you on track

I’ve run the same routine with the sound off and the sound on. The difference is obvious.

I don’t miss transitions: A short ping ends the set; a distinct cue ends the round. I don’t overrun.
I hold steady effort: Beeps prevent the “last 10s sprint” that leaves me gassed for the next round.
I focus on form: I keep my head up. I listen for the next switch instead of watching seconds crawl.
I recover on time: Rest starts immediately. I breathe instead of negotiating “just five more reps.”

Silence works for slow mobility or note-taking. For steady workouts, an interval timer with sound makes me more consistent with less willpower.

How I customize sounds in Go Exercise Timer

I keep two categories of alerts:

Set End (short) — a quick, low-friction ping for regular set changes and rests.
Exercise End (distinct) — a more noticeable tone for the final phase so I don’t accidentally continue.

Here’s my flow:

Open the setup at /tools/timer (it redirects to Setup).
Toggle Sound on.
Click “Advanced Sound Settings.”
Pick a short tone for Set End and a clearer bell for Exercise End.
Optionally record my own voice cues. I use short phrases like “Switch to lunges” or “Breathe now.”

If my custom recording is long, I increase the global Rest so the audio finishes. The tool warns me when a recording is longer than my Rest.

I keep the volume reasonable. I prefer distinct pitch differences instead of loudness. I want cues, not noise.

Ready-to-run 20-minute routines

You can set this up manually. Or you can load a plan in one click, then save it to My List.

Option A — Balanced 60/60 x10 (≈20:00)

Work 60s, Rest 60s, 10 rounds.
Slightly aerobic. Easy to sustain. Great for the first week back.

Use this 60/60 template — no login

Option B — Focused 90/60 x8 (≈20:00)

Work 90s, Rest 60s, 8 rounds.
Slightly longer focus periods. Great for skill work or steady cardio.

Use this 90/60 template — no login

You can rename the single “Work” block to match your plan (e.g., “Push”, “Pull”, “Bike”, “Walk Uphill”). The global Rest controls the breaks between rounds.

Silent vs sound: what actually changes

When I run silent, I tend to peek at the clock. I overshoot sets. My rests shrink. I speed up late to “catch the minute.”

With sound, I hit clean boundaries. I move, then I stop. I breathe, then I start. The session feels easier even if the total time is the same. That’s the point—structure reduces friction.

How I run a 20-minute session step by step

Open a ready template or the tool: /tools/timer.
If I’m on mobile, I take the phone off silent and keep the screen face down.
I start. I listen for pings. I don’t push the last 10 seconds.
On rests, I nose-breathe and relax my shoulders. No doom-scrolling.
I finish with a calmer Exercise End cue. I stop immediately.

I log one line after: “60/60 x10 felt steady; HR moderate; shoulders tight on rounds 7–8.” It keeps me honest and helps me adjust next time.

Tuning Advanced Sound Settings for your space

Apartment-friendly: pick higher-pitched, short pings that don’t carry through walls.
Gym-friendly: choose a mid-pitch chime that cuts through ambient noise without being harsh.
Shared office: use quiet tones or a subtle voice whisper; keep phone near you.
Outdoors: use brighter tones or voice. Wind eats low-volume beeps.

If I record voice, I keep it under 2–3 seconds. I avoid jokes or long phrases—I want cues, not commentary.

Common questions

Can I use custom sounds for both set and exercise ends?
Yes. Record separate cues. The tool will remember them when you save to My List.

Will audio work on my phone?
Yes. Keep your phone off silent/vibrate. Mobile browsers may require the first user interaction before audio plays; pressing Start covers it.

Can I share my plan with a friend?
Yes. After a session, use Share. If native share isn’t available, the link copies to the clipboard.

Do I need an account?
No. It’s free and private. Your routines live in your browser.

Start your 20-minute session now

Open a template, hit Start, and let sound carry the pace. You can always tweak time, rest, and cues later. The goal is simple: a clean twenty that you’ll repeat tomorrow.

👉 Try Go Exercise Timer — Free online interval timer with sound and voice: /tools/timer