In the present work, we report results from a new processing route for Mg: cold rolling under inert atmosphere, followed by a short-time HEBM step (CR + HEBM). This processing route is presented as a powerful tool to reduce the activation time for Mg hydrogenation samples with no need to introduce any additives. Mg samples were extensively processed by CR and CR + HEBM and their effects on the microstructure and hydrogen storage properties were studied. The Mg samples processed by CR + HEBM presented refined microstructure (grain sizes around 4-7 nm), strong texture and are certainly free of oxide layer formation. These conditions lead to relatively fast activation kinetics and enhanced kinetics behavior that has not been reported in the literature so far. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.