Spousal debate!

So heres the question...How long does the average person work out? Would you say its more common for someone to workout for about an hour or for like 2-3 hours? Would it make more sense or benefit you more to workout for an hour a day...say...5 times a week or workout for 2-3 hours a day 2 times a week?

This is the debate between my husband and I right now. So i thought i would get some feedback from others and see what the consensus is! Any input would be greatly appreciated! :)

Replies

  • Cyclink
    Cyclink Posts: 517 Member
    The problem with doing 2 to 3 hours 2 times a week is that your body has completely recovered and started to lose fitness before your next workout.

    Doing a workout at least every other day helps beat that curve.
  • CkepiJinx
    CkepiJinx Posts: 613 Member
    What ever fits your schedule and your body can handle, I don't think it is a hard and fast rule. Just my opinion ;)
  • VastBreak
    VastBreak Posts: 322 Member
    I would think that it would be tough to maintain a decent energy level if you had long workouts. How would you maintain correct form? I think your workouts should focus more on quality.
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    So, what I found out through my research is that most people who have lost significant weight and maintained their loss exercise for an average of an hour a day. Of course that's an average, so I'm sure it runs the range.

    I exercise anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half a day. I won't do anything that I can't do forever. I know that 2-3 hours a day is not maintainable for me. Of course, once a week I am training for a 1/2 marathon, and have to go for a longer run (about an hour and a half right now). The other thing to consider is the quality of your work out. I know that after an hour and a half, my performance suffers. So, longer is just about pointless.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    Gym workouts are 45 mins to 60 mins only. Swims are the same. Running I keep to about 40 mins. Cycling, well that is my mode of transport so I don't really log time spent cycling as it is everywhere....I "work out" 3 times per week.
  • Guess it matters what your goals are, mine are to reduce weight, blood pressure, and resting heart beats per minute. I've read about and do my best to exercise at my recommended heart rate for 25 minutes, 6 times a week. Hope this helps!
  • I work out for between 45 and 60 minutes 5 days per week. I simply wouldn't have the time or energy to work out for 2-3 hours. The aim is to make exercise part of my daily routine rather than sometime huge that I have to make a lot of time for.
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    I am built for endurance rather than speed. I do an hour and a half cardio on Monday evening, Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning - except on those occasions when I am so bored after an hour that I mutiny and so do more weights.

    In addition at the moment I sing with 4 choirs so rehearse 2 hrs on Tuesday, 2 hrs Wednesday, 2 hrs on Thursday and 1 hr on Friday evenings (respectively).

    My amusic wife has quiet evening to watch tennis on Eurosport.

    After Christmas I shall be getting in the way and making the place untidy on Thursday evenings.

    At 63 I cannot cope without a day off from the gym in between. The dayjob fills up the rest of the time 4 and a half days a week.

    Does that help?
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    I do between 30 and 60 minutes every other day.

    Working out for 2-3 hours would be impossible. I work until 4, get to the gym at 5. That would put me home around 7:30 or 8:30 and I would still have to cook, help the kids with homework etc.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    On average, 5 times a week for 45 min to 1.5 hours each time. I think daily (or more frequent) exercise is far better than the weekend warrior approach. I swear I've seen some studies supporting that but that was a long time ago.