Better to break it up or do it all at once...

clw_888

Hi MFP friends! In regards to exercise, which is more effective for metabolism boosting benefits, to do all my workout at once or to break into seperate chunks of time throughout the day? Do you think that it affects the total number of calories burned?

cpegasus01

I break mine up simply because I can't fit it all in during my lunch break. I walk/jog for about 15 min. every morning and then try and do something in the evenings. I do feel more energized when I break it up though.

Jade_Butterfly

If you can get it all in at once that is great. . but as long as you get a workout that is the main thing. . We all have very busy lives and sometimes breaking it up is the only way that you can fit it in. .

You can always do your cardio in one session and weigh training in another session. .

Or I like to sometimes do some cardio in the morning and then more in the evening.

Egger29

It's whatever fits your schedule. Overall it doesn't matter.

If you're looking for calories burned, the rate / minute is the same regardless of if you do two rounds of 15 mins, or one round of 30 mins.

Regardless however, keep in mind that exercise is a stress, so there's no reason for any workout to take longer than 45-60 mins. Any longer than that, and the cortisol production (stress hormone) in the blood counteracts any real benefit you're getting from additional time.

Case in point: I'm currently training with some NHL Goalies and the every session takes less 35-45 mins tops.

It's not how long you work out...it's what you do with the time you're training. The best workout plan is simply the one you can do consistantly.

Cheers!

gmrgirl

From a fitness professional, I'll tell you what I do.

I work full time and train. I don't have time to invest in myself but my clients expect me to be healthy and I want to hit my goal weight. My personal workouts are 20-28 minutes of interval and body weight strength training. I pour 100% effort into it and if I can walk away from it without collapsing for a few minutes to catch my breath, I didn't push hard enough.

For those clients who are willing to work that hard, I do the same for them but most of my clients wouldn't push themselves to that limit, so they get 45-60 minute training sessions.

I will say, if you have 10 minutes 3 times a day and you pour everything you have into those 10 minutes and really give it all you got, then you will see success. If you prefer to do it in a block, do it. You have to make it work for you. Whatever you can do CONSISTENTLY is what is best.

Consistency is key.

Cat52169

I break up my workout becuase I workout harder and burn more calories. Using any machine for 30-60 minutes is tiring but when you break it up in to 15 min increments then you can bust your butt for 15 and come back for more

grassette

I think that there is a benefit if you exercise all day, simply because it gets your heart rate up, your blood pumping, and is giving your back a break if you sit a lot. Doing this more often is better than doing it only once a day.

alyssa92982

I would think as long as you get it in your good

lalalalyndsey

To get your heart rate up to the "fat burning zone" you need to workout for a pretty decent amount of time. That said, if you workout multiple times a day and get your heart rate up to that point, it's very efficient in boosting your metabolism and losing weight. If you AREN'T reaching the "fat burning zone" and working out multiple times a day, it's pretty pointless in my opinion. You will still burn calories w/ out reaching your fat burning heart rate, but not as much calories or fat as working out for an extended period of time at the same rate.

Hope this helps!

rodneyderrick

Honestly, this is a good question. Over the summer, I was doing two-a-day workouts with my runs. I would run 7 miles in the morning, and then 6 in the evening. Even so, two weeks ago, I decided to run 9 to 10 miles once a day, and it seemed like I benefited more from that. This morning I did 6 miles, and I'll do an additional seven to eight after work. It really depends on how I feel after the first 6 if I'll keep running.