Splitting Up Workouts

Austadophilus5

I'm new to exercise but I've always dreamed of being one who works out avidly. I admire fit women and the work they put into themselves, the confidence that exercise gives them. So I started and I feel better. One problem, my stamina is not great on the elliptical, so my friend reccomended I split up and do ten minute workouts throughout the day. One in the morning. One in the afternoon. And one at night. I'm just wondering if its just as a effective as a 30 minute workout all the way through or not. If not, any suggestions for incorporating more exercise?

synthomarsh

Ive heard to get in a good fat burning cycle you need at least 20 minutes of cardio maybe split it into 2 or 3 20 minute sessions

Austadophilus5

I can see that, but my stamina is kinda crap. I'm really out of shape. But that does make sense.

three36love

I think you should just stick with it in one go. I remember years ago when I got on an elliptical for the first time, I could barely make 10 minutes and I was DYING and I thought it was insane that anyone could do that thing... But I kept going 10 minutes a day and before I knew it, I could go 60 minutes at a high resistance level with no problem. Just keep at it and you'll get better.

crobl

Is it optimal? No probably not! But think of it this way...

Can you do 30 minutes straight? - No

Can you do 10 minutes? - Yes

Can you repeat that 3 times? - Yes

Does that equal 30 minutes? - Yes

Will gradually increasing the time build your stamina? - Yes

Can you work up to 30 minutes at a time? - Yes

IS ALL OF THIS BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING??---- HECK YES

blindedbyawesome

Breaking it up is better then nothing but to build your staminar you should try to do cardio for atleast 25 min at a time to get the heart rate going. If you cannot do the whole 25 min try doing 5 minutes then slow down for 2 minutes, then 5 minute slow down for 2. etc. You will be amazed how fast you will built your stamina.

JustDeke

I break up my cardio with multiple reps of light weights. 10 minutes cardio - weights - 10 minutes cardio - weights - 10 minutes cardio. Keeps my heart rate up, and me constantly moving. It's also more entertaining than just hanging out on one machine for half an hour.

JenMc14

There's nothing wrong with breaking it up, or even only doing one 10 minute session. Day 1 do 10 minutes, next day, try 11, keep adding a minute on. You could also try scaling back the intensity a bit. That's what it took for me to find my stride with running. I had been so concerned with speed that my endurance was crap. Once I scaled back the speed, I could run farther and for longer, then I started to add in higher speeds. So, If you're at a 10 resistance and you can do 10 minutes, how about doing a 7 for 10 minutes, maybe try 10 for 2 minutes, then go back to 7, etc.

Austadophilus5

Thanks! I eased up on my speed a little and I feel so much better! I keep working on it.