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How much cardio?

jameswhayhurst
jameswhayhurst Posts: 9 Member
edited February 21 in Fitness and Exercise
I've read that I should either be getting 2.5 hours/week of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes/week of vigorous exercise. I know what my target heart rate range would be for those two categories, so my question is, what if I alternate? What if I exercise moderately some days and vigorously on others, what should my goal be as far as number of minutes per week? Anybody know? Thank you.

Replies

  • parisallez
    parisallez Posts: 30
    there is no set number. it's whatever your comfortable with and have time for. if it were me, and I was trying to cut for fat loss, I'd do 3-4 moderate cardio sessions a week at 15-20 minutes each, and maybe 1-2 HIIT sessions a week which can be done in about 4 minutes (google Tabata intervals based on the classic Japanese study which found unmatched fat burning and metabolism raising protocols).
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
    What are your goals? For some people walking is all the cardio you need to do, whereas other people are going to need days of strenuous cardio to meet their goals. I doubt anyone can give good advice without having more information.
  • jameswhayhurst
    jameswhayhurst Posts: 9 Member
    Great advice. Now that the summer is here I think I can start adding more shorter/higher intensity workouts.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,128 Member
    Depends on your goal. Just remember that exercise is for fitness and health and not weight loss. It's tough to out exercise a bad diet.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • jameswhayhurst
    jameswhayhurst Posts: 9 Member
    Parkscs, that is a good question. I'm somewhat new to working out, so I think I need to think about my goals more in depth since I've been exercising regularly for about three months now. I definitely want to lose weight (another 7-10 pounds) while continuing to build my endurance. My resting heart rate was way high for a while, but under a doctor's supervision I've brought it down to within the normal range with exercise and lowering my caffeine intake.
  • jameswhayhurst
    jameswhayhurst Posts: 9 Member
    ninerbuff, you said, " It's tough to out exercise a bad diet." Fact! Very true!
  • ChaplainHeavin
    ChaplainHeavin Posts: 426 Member
    Depends on your goal. Just remember that exercise is for fitness and health and not weight loss. It's tough to out exercise a bad diet.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I know you're right and it's true that exercise is for fitness and health but it's hard to change the way I think about exercise. But I'm getting there, I now plan my workouts for strength and fitness and not for how many calories I will burn.
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