One Long Workout vs Two Shorter Spaced Out Workouts

bwdcjk
bwdcjk Posts: 96 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I laid on my butt all night - very tired - but did just finally do 20 minutes on the stationary bike. I also do 30DS everyday on my lunch break. I am pondering which is more beneficial...one 45 - 60 minute workout or two 20 - 30 minute workouts at different times of the day. If the same number of calories are burned either way...does momentum and maximum time at a elevated heart rate win out in the best burn war?

Replies

  • MissTomGettingThin
    MissTomGettingThin Posts: 776 Member
    As far as I am aware, it makes no difference what-so-ever :O)
    Same burn...

    I'll await to hear what others think but do what's best for you!
  • bwdcjk
    bwdcjk Posts: 96 Member
    bump
  • goblue443
    goblue443 Posts: 50
    I would think that as long as you burn the same amount of calories both ways, it's your choice. However, I have found that I tend to burn more calories when I do two short workouts because I get tired/bored when I do one long workout and don't work as hard at the end of the hour long workout. I try harder for two separate bouts of 30 minutes.
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    since neither one of them are marathon length, i'd say you're fine going either route, as long as you get it done.


    When you get into 1.5-2 hour workouts, then you'd want to split them up.
  • WEB3
    WEB3 Posts: 121 Member
    Will it be detrimental for your weight loss? No.

    Doing something is better than nothing. Do what you can, when you can and keep watching what you eat.
  • Arleigh7
    Arleigh7 Posts: 150 Member
    I'll add my 2 cents since I've worked with Trainers and Nutritionists for several years. They have always told me 2 seperate workouts are better then 1 long workout.

    #1 - you can usually work harder or push yourself harder over a shorter period of time

    #2 - but even if you don't the main calorie benefit from excercise isn't always how much you burn during your workout but the elevated metabolism and higher calorie burn rate your body does after the workout.

    So 2 workout would help keep your body metabolism at a higher rate throughout the day and you would end up burning more calories.

    But I think the main thing is just make sure you get ANY workout in! :)
  • drgndancer
    drgndancer Posts: 426 Member
    The answer, as always, is "it depends on your goals". If you're just trying to lose weight it doesn't matter very much. You will burn fractionally more calories with a longer continuous workout than two short ones, but not enough to worry about. If you're trying to improve cardiovascular fitness you want to keep your heart rate elevated for the longest possible time. In that case it make more sense to do longer workouts.
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