How many times a week should one exercise?

perpetuallyfit

I do about 35 minutes on the elliptical everyday. I noticed people take rest days and I was wondering if I am doing the right thing by exercising daily...Any thoughts on this?

vanillasugar

I am certainly no expert but my understanding with the rest days is that it is targeted primarily for people doing strength/weight training to give the muscles a rest more so than with cardio. I think the cardio exercise/week is just whatever you're comfortable with. Personally, I try to work out (cardio) for 45-60 minutes 4-5 times a week. Sometimes I only do 3, sometimes 6. But mostly 4-5.

Last year, I did a challenge at our local gym and worked out every day for 6 weeks and it was hard for me. But I did live through it and earned a free 2 months at my gym :happy:

scottdsexton

I am certainly no expert but my understanding with the rest days is that it is targeted primarily for people doing strength/weight training to give the muscles a rest more so than with cardio. I think the cardio exercise/week is just whatever you're comfortable with. Personally, I try to work out (cardio) for 45-60 minutes 4-5 times a week. Sometimes I only do 3, sometimes 6. But mostly 4-5.

Last year, I did a challenge at our local gym and worked out every day for 6 weeks and it was hard for me. But I did live through it and earned a free 2 months at my gym :happy:

I'm no expert either but I have always heard the same thing Vannilla mentioned above. The only caveat would be if you are doing long-distance training such as marathons etc and if that is the case, I think rest days are recommended.

perpetuallyfit

So I get to exercise 7 days a week since I don't do strength training or other strenuous stuff? Thanks for the advice! Time to get on that elliptical!

tabinmaine

I think if you are lifting weights or doing something strenuous on your joints it's recommended that you take rest days. Rest days from working the same muscle groups. Either every other day or 2 days on, 1 day off schedule.

I am currently running and it is highly recommended to take at least 2 rest days each week, and believe me I need it ! Being overweight and running is a recipe for injury if I don't rest. Your muscles need rest days to recover and repair themselves.

I tried running everyday the first few weeks, bad idea, I had calf pain, sore knees and ankles, started incorporating rest days and I could run farther and faster after my rest. Which in turn is more beneficial because my cardio was more intense and productive.

At first I took every other day off, now after 8 wks, I am taking 2 days/wk off. I have to force myself to rest though, I hate it ! haha

So if you are sore, rest, it's just as important as cardio.

neanderthin

Around 150 or so minutes a week makes a huge difference is overall health and longevity, and apparently it really doesn't matter very much what kind it is.....walking works.