We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How much should a person work out?

Amanda0926
Amanda0926 Posts: 108 Member
edited January 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I often wonder if I work out enough....
monday- 35 minutes of tae bo
tues- Jillian Michaels ripped in 30
wed 35 minutes of cardio
thur Jillian again
friday I rest
Sat I do 45-60 minutes of cardio
sun I do 45-60 minutes of calisthenics

I know 6 days is plenty, but am I doing it for long enough?
Is 30 minutes or so enough?
I know that lifting weights is the best thing, but I can't get to the gym. I will be buying some heavier dumb bells soon so I can use them with my Jillian workouts and calisthenics.
I'm finally figuring out my calories and nutrients and stuff, so now I want to make sure Im active enough.

How much do all of you work out?

Replies

  • hjensen2263
    hjensen2263 Posts: 68 Member
    I will generally work out for an hour and a half a day, on the days I have time. Then I will do lengthy stretch. However, if you are new to working out, 30 minutes is great to start! Then work your way up. I know I work out more than most people, but I'm an exercise science major, so it's kind of my job:smile: Work your way up to an hour a day for 6 days a week, and you'll be doing great! Good luck!
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    An hour a day is plenty. Quality not quantity, in my opinion.
  • merctech
    merctech Posts: 6 Member
    I'm usually in the gym about 45-60 minutes 3 days a week. I don't do cardio, (never have liked running) but have a job that keeps me fairly active and off my butt all day. I would say you are doing plenty of cardio, if anything I would add another rest day, maybe Wednesday. I don't know if this helps but if what you are doing is working keep doing it. By far the most important thing for weight loss is your diet though.
  • Terree_G
    Terree_G Posts: 69 Member
    My trainer has told me that quantity is not as important as quality. He said a serious 20-minute workout at high intensity will do more for you than longer sessions.

    That said, I only half take his advice. I make sure that I get low, medium, and high-intensity into each session, but I still go 5-6 times a week and I still stick to my goal of a minimum of 90 minutes per day. That's just me. :-)
  • kjwillie
    kjwillie Posts: 106 Member
    You could try changing it up a bit. For instance, maybe you could do one hour of exercise two days a week and slowly build up. You may need to throw in an extra rest day, but there are advantages to working out for a longer period of time. It's great that you're sticking with it with stuff like Jillian Michaels and lots of cardio. Best of luck on your health journey!!
  • Amanda0926
    Amanda0926 Posts: 108 Member
    Thank you for the tips!
    I'm not new to working out, I just don't have a ton of time on my hands. I'm a single mom of two, so I stay pretty busy :)
    I will throw in another 30 minutes whenever I have time. I just really don't feel like I'm doing enough.

    I do like the quality vs. quantity idea though. I need to look into higher intensity workouts that last 30 - 45 minutes. Maybe that would be a good place to start.

    Any ideas on those?
    I was thinking about insanity.
    I have done P90X. They are good workouts, but I feel like I can do more.
  • buzzcogs
    buzzcogs Posts: 296 Member
    I honestly think you are doing fine. I think 30 minutes 6 days a week is better than doing more but not doing it consistently. That being said I am no expert but I have been a working mom of small children and I know all about not having time. I wish I had stuck to 30 minutes a day at your age instead of taking the "all-or-nothing" approach.
    Keep up the good work!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I have heard it recommended that you should get 3-4 days of cardio and 2-3 days of strength training lol. *shrug*
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I work out 5-6 days a week. Friday is my primary rest day. Only because it's one day I can have a good hair day and not have to take 2 showers a day. If I feel really sore another day during the week (other than the weekend), I'll take a day off. I do about 20-30 minutes everyday.

    Also manage to lose at least a pound a week
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Any more than 4 times a week is overkill IMO, but I guess it depends how intense your training is.
  • TexasDragon45
    TexasDragon45 Posts: 275
    If you feel like you should do more then your body is probably telling you to. I know what you mean with not having time, I have three kids, a part time job on top of being in the military and some days by the time I get home from the gym I feel like its only a place I stay on nights and weekends.
    P90X is good, but if you are looking for something more challenging, try Cross Fit or Gym Jones (sp?).
    What I ended up doing was making my own workouts at home that last about an hour. It incorporated DBs,Kettlebells, Med Balls, Strength Bands, and this step called a 360Step, It cut down on my time away from home and started toning me up more than I thought, I started about a month ago and realized that a change in my workout routine is what I needed to kick start my extra weight loss.
    Let me know if you want some personal ones, I have written some up for friends and they enjoy it and usually start seeing the results within a month.
    I dont get on the boards often so message me if you want.

    But 5-6 times a week is perfect. 30 min is OK, but your body is just getting started at that point, strive for 45-60 min of stacked strength/endurance cardio. Its a perfect hybrid.
  • AngelsheriHackley
    AngelsheriHackley Posts: 67 Member
    No less then 90 minutes a day if you want to lose weight but to maintain I would do 30 mins only.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories