How long is long enough when training?

jennibee70
jennibee70 Posts: 1,067 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm toying with the idea of joining a gym so I can exercise in my lunch hour. I don't have a lot of spare time and getting away from my desk and utilising that wasted hour in the middle of the day seems like a good idea. But by the time I walk there, get changed, and get back to work, I'd probably only have 20 minutes, half an hour tops, to swim or use the gym. I want to tone up while I'm losing weight. I don't know if 20 minutes is effective or not though - could I be wasting £32 a month for minimal results?

Replies

  • akhilton
    akhilton Posts: 57
    Hi there

    Are you lucky enough to have a shower where you work?

    If so, have you considered a jog/walk/run at lunch time?

    I do this and can cover 5k and be back at my desk, showered, within the hour. It does mean I have to desktop picnic though.

    A
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    You can try running to the gym and then back to work, that 30 minutes of running would be awesome
  • AussieTrainer
    AussieTrainer Posts: 171
    Walk brisky, count it as your warm up and warm down. Definitely worth it!
  • AverageUkDude
    AverageUkDude Posts: 371 Member
    if you spend those 20 minutes doing solid weight training, and mixing up your routine each day to ensure everything gets hit, then yes go for it. Weight training is a great way to loose weight and retain muscle.
  • pstaceyca
    pstaceyca Posts: 306 Member
    20-25 minutes is definitley enough if you do the right exercise. You can get some ideas off the internet. All the best!
  • LisaWilson2012
    LisaWilson2012 Posts: 118 Member
    I think half an hour a day is enough. After all it's more than what you are doing now?? Could you couple that with a session or 2 at the weekend?
  • FITnFIRM4LIFE
    FITnFIRM4LIFE Posts: 818 Member
    I say, Yes! Worth it- Get a lifting routine and split it up into days-Walking is your warm up and cool down-Well worth it.
    Good luck to you!
  • literatelier
    literatelier Posts: 209 Member
    Like someone else said, count the walk as your cardio - just make it brisk! Then do some solid weight training at the gym for 20 minutes. Go with a plan written down, so you're not wasting time figuring out what to do next.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    You can get in a decent lifting routine in 20 minutes. As long as your diet is correct, 20 minutes should be fine.
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    Yep, make the most of the time you have with a good intense workout and you will be amazed!
  • krstfolo
    krstfolo Posts: 16
    You can easily get in a good lifting workout in 20-30 mins and that will go a long way to helping you lean out faster than cardio or swimming alone. You can even do three days of a full body circuit and two days of swimming or other cardio of your choice, or you can split the five days into different body group circuits alternating upper and lower body. There are a lot of really good programs already available online for free. Bodybuilding.com has a lot of them and gives you a lot of instructional videos on how to do the moves. I agree with everyone else and use the walk to and from as your warm up/cool down. Add in a quality diet and you will be amazed with the results. Besides all that the break in the middle of the day will go a long way towards making you more productive at work and less stressed, if you have a stressful job. Good luck!
  • Nyhart03
    Nyhart03 Posts: 12 Member
    Hello,

    I'm new here and I have a desk job that I sit at for 8 hours during the day as well. Since I just started, I created a kind of "get ready to get fit plan" that only involves walking and fast walking for one month. What I plan on starting today is walk for 15-20 minutes during my lunch hour and when I get home walk again for another 15-20 minutes.

    Not sure if this will help, but I hope it does. Also friend me! Always looking for people to friend and friend me as well. Let's achieve our goals together! (I'm so cheesy, lol.)
  • jennibee70
    jennibee70 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I already do quite a lot of cardio (6 hours of aikido and belly dancing a week), but I've started to feel a bit flabby now that all the fat isn't propping my skin up, so I really think its time to hit the weights. Not something I've ever done seriously though. Now, are the weight machines in gyms the same as doing free weights? I can't imagine me doing bench presses or anything like that.
  • krstfolo
    krstfolo Posts: 16
    The weight machines are not the same as doing free weights. Weight machines focus on isolation and do not engage as many muscles as using free weights. Basically your body does not have to work to stabilize itself while using the machines. Which means your will not have the same metabolic response. Though for someone starting out that does not have a good knowledge of form with free weights the machines are perfectly fine. Just focus on proper form even with using the machines.

    Free weights are very easy to use, and a bench press is wonderful for women, keeps the ladies perky, so don't be afraid of that. If you can swing it in your budget getting a trainer to show you some basic movements with free weights or a friend that has some knowledge will go a long way. On bodybuilding.com they have excellent resources that show you how to do basic moves as well via step by step photos and videos. Jamie Eason's Live Fit program on there is really good and provides you cardio, weight, and diet ideas. Something to take ideas from anyway.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I'm toying with the idea of joining a gym so I can exercise in my lunch hour. I don't have a lot of spare time and getting away from my desk and utilising that wasted hour in the middle of the day seems like a good idea. But by the time I walk there, get changed, and get back to work, I'd probably only have 20 minutes, half an hour tops, to swim or use the gym. I want to tone up while I'm losing weight. I don't know if 20 minutes is effective or not though - could I be wasting £32 a month for minimal results?


    For £32 per month? That's like $52 per month. You're not likely to see, IMHO, enough benefit to warrant that much cost.

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