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Splitting Up Workouts

Austadophilus5
Austadophilus5 Posts: 27
edited January 21 in Fitness and Exercise
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?

Replies

  • synthomarsh
    synthomarsh Posts: 189 Member
    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
    Austadophilus5 Posts: 27
    I can see that, but my stamina is kinda crap. I'm really out of shape. But that does make sense.
  • three36love
    three36love Posts: 38 Member
    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
    crobl Posts: 380
    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
    blindedbyawesome Posts: 56 Member
    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
    JustDeke Posts: 53 Member
    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
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    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
    Austadophilus5 Posts: 27
    Thanks! I eased up on my speed a little and I feel so much better! I keep working on it.
This discussion has been closed.

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