How Long Should I Exercise?

It doesn't matter.
Well it does. 
But it doesn't.

How long we should exercise depends on several factors such as intensity, mode, exercise history, preexisting conditions, goals, etc. . . This is the truth.

​I say, "it doesn't matter" because this website is about creating healthy habits. 

For most of us our goals include living healthier. Very few of us have the goal to be a world champion nordic skier, but nearly all of us want to have energy, live without pain, play with grandchildren, etc. . . For us, we can start with an easy training program.

If you're not currently exercising, just start! It doesn't matter if you can only walk for 10 minutes. What does matter is that you make and keep that habit. 10 minutes, 3 days a week quickly becomes 10 minutes, 5 days a week. Form the habit now of creating time for yourself to exercise and it will become easier to add minutes to your workouts or even extra sessions on different days. 

The plans on this website have exercise all 7 days each week. I think most of us can strive for this. Please note, that doesn't mean 7 days each week of highly intense exercise. Naturally we should do some exercise that is easy and some exercise that is intense. In the beginning, if it is all easy, that is fine! We can build on it!

If you like guidelines, the American Heart Association recommends adults get 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes/week of vigorous exercise. The AHA also makes other recommendations such as strength training twice each week and striving for 5+ hours of activity each week. 

Now, if you're nowhere near the 150 minutes/week do not worry. We can build up to it. Don't go from 0 minutes/week to 150 minutes/week. Maybe start with half of that. It will be easier to take small steps that add up over time. These are the same principles we would use with nutrition. Slowly decrease calories, don't crash diet. 

My honest advice. Start somewhere and we will progress when appropriate. 

Remember, good habits compound on each other.