Length and frequence of workouts (question)

[Beatlesboy]

Searching for some answers.

A doctor I know said that it is good to work out for at least 20 minutes to be bennificial. I read in a book that your heart rate should be up and sustained for 12 minutes and that depending on the exercise, it takes different amounts of time to get your heart rate up, once it is up THEN you start the 12 minutes. The 12 minutes is the minimum ideal.

I started at the gym going for an hour on the tredmill, then working my way over to the elliptical. Discovered I loved the elliptical and never looked back. Then heard it is better to work out twice a day vs. once (i.e. two 30 minute sessions vs. one hour long session) so I started going to the gym and doing 30 minutes twice a day. This took up a lot of time and with the price of gas I bought a cheap, but efficiant ellipital for home.

My attention span does wonder and I don't know if 1 hour or 30 minutes is practical, I want to be able to stick to something. I know I can easily hop on it and do 15 minutes several times a day.

What are people's thoughts about the duration of cardio work outs? Would doing 15 minutes when I wake up, go to bed, and twice more during the day be just as good or better than one hour session as I'm getting my heart rate up several times throughout the day?

What about going on it during commercials for 5 mintues? (it's in the garage, plasma is in living room, hehe).

Sorry if this seems trivial, but there is so much conflicting info out there. Thanks for reading.

 

[maleficent]

I think any workout you do is going to be effective... when you get to a lower weight reevaluation will be in order...

but it's really doing what you can do... and what works in your schedule. Doing something is always better than nothing and as long as it's a workout - and not just going thru the motions -then have at it

I don't think 5 minute spurts are going to do a lot long term cardio/heart healthy wise... because it's not enough time to really get your heart rate up and your body warmed up -but - it's bonus exercise calories burned..

 

[Anita_123]

Yes, 5 min a pop is not going to do much for fat burn or cardio training.

But the 30 min twice a day is a very good option to follow. What may be a solution for you is to try and make the one 30 min session into a routine or habit. Do it as soon as you get up, whilst watching the news.

Then the other 30 min go for a run outside when you need a break. It will give you variety and it will take you outdoors.