The Debate Continues: How Long *Should* You Work Out For?

Striking the right balance between amount and intensity of exercise has been a subject of debate among fitness enthusiasts and athletes for years. Different professionals have their own theories and preferences, and depending on the individual, what works best may vary. To help you figure out what exercise routine is best for you, here’s a closer look at The Debate Continues: How Long *Should* You Work Out For?

Making Time for Exercise: Balancing Intensity and Duration

Exercise can help to improve physical and mental wellbeing in a variety of ways. But for any routine to be effective, you need to make sure you get the balance of intensity and duration right. For instance, if you have a full-time job and limited free time, you may prefer to break up your exercise into shorter, more intense sessions rather than a long, slow jog or bike ride. This could include an hour of weightlifting or a couple of 30-minute HIIT workouts per week.

The Pros and Cons of Long Workouts

For some people, longer workouts may be their preferred method of exercise. For instance, long-distance running or cycling can help to build endurance and strength. Additionally, long workouts are typically lower intensity, which can help reduce the risk of injury. However, there are some drawbacks, such as the fact that long workouts can be quite time-consuming.

Finding Your Optimal Fitness Routine

Finding the right balance between intensity and duration will depend on your fitness goals and lifestyle. For example, if you are looking to build strength, shorter, more intense workouts such as resistance training may be best. Alternatively, if you are looking to improve your endurance and stamina, longer, lower intensity sessions such as running, cycling or swimming may be preferable.

Short, Yet Intense Exercise: Is it Enough?

Shorter, more intense workouts can offer a great alternative to longer workouts. HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, is a type of training that involves short bursts of maximum effort followed by a brief rest period. This type of training can help to improve both aerobic and anaerobic fitness, as well as burning a significant number of calories in a short amount of time.

Deciding on the Right Amount of Exercise for You

The amount of exercise you should be doing will depend on your lifestyle and fitness goals. Generally speaking, the key is to find a balance between intensity and duration that works for you. Make sure to listen to your body and modify your workouts according to how you feel. As with all types of exercise, it’s important to warm up and cool down to reduce the risk of injury.

At the end of the day, the debate of how long one should work out for has no definitive answer. The right amount of exercise will be different for everyone, and depends on a variety of factors. It could require some trial and error to find the optimal balance of intensity and duration that works for you, but it’s important to keep in mind that any amount of exercise is better than none.

Sources

• The New Rules of Lifting for Women, by Lou Schuler, Cassandra Forsythe, and Alwyn Cosgrove
• The 7-Minute Workout: High-Intensity Circuit Training Using Body Weight, by Chris Jordan
• Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance, by William D. McArdle, Frank I. Katch, and Victor L. Katch