Exercise in increments vs all at once?

I think it depends what your goals are. If you are just looking to burn calories and keep in shape, then doing it in small bursts is probably fine. On the other hand, if you are training for an event or a specific goal, many people use the "20 minute" rule of thumb. Anything you do <20 minutes will help keep you fit and at the shape you are at. Once you pass the 20 minute mark is where you start building muscle and endurance.

So the bottom line is all exercise is great, but you may get extra benefits if you do more than 20 minutes at a time.

Regarding calories, you will use the same performing the same amount of work all at once or split into two, three, or even ten seperate sessions. Obviously doing it all at once is better for fitness though!

Hi Everybody,

I was wondering if it makes a difference if you do your cardio exercise in short increments throughout the day (10 minutes at a time for example), or all at once? Is one more beneficial than the other as far as increasing metabolism or burning calories? Have any of you seen better results one way vs the other? Your thoughts?

The thing that would completely put me off training for ten minutes at a time (six times per day, to get my hour in), would be that it would equal a shower after each session and six showers per day would not be good for my skin. I could do without showering each time, but stale sweat does nothing for one's personal hygiene and that is without the threat of things like athlete's foot because I wouldn't be keeping myself clean.

Added to that minor point, everytime I went back for another ten minutes session, I would have to warm up and warm down again, I don't think my body would like all that very much, apart from which I just wouldn't have the time, what with work lol