Is exercising three times a week too little

fitnessqueen91
fitnessqueen91 Posts: 166 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I aim to exercise four times a week. This week I've only been to the gym twice and went on a long walk though I'm not sure it's really proper exercise. Other days I've been busy or sore from the gym. Today I went shopping with my mum and walked for ages. I was so tired when I got back that I had a nap and I don't have time to exercise this evening but I might go clubbing and dance.

I work very hard during my work outs and really push myself hard.

Replies

  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    Are you training for anything other than health if not three times a week is three times more than 90% of the people on this planet so yes its enough.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    It's enough for me. I'm active (sahm of 3 boys) so I feel that I need exercise to stay in good enough shape to handle my daily activities without passing out mid-afternoon.

    If it's what you can handle, and it's getting you to your goal, it's all you need.
  • emhunter
    emhunter Posts: 1,212 Member
    Working out 3 times a week is good for you. Probably not enough to get in the best shape of your life though.

    To answer whether 3x a week is too little will depend on your goals and several variables. If you are trying to condition your heart, and get in shape for long distance runs, you will likely need more.

    Walking in the mall, while can be tiring, but may not constitute cardio or a workout if you are casually strolling and stopping often. Same for your clubbing. I would say these sorts of activities make you active for that day, but would not count them as a cardio workout.

    However your long walk should count as a workout if you are consistently walking at a fast pace.

    Despite all of this, not meeting your weekly workout goal for one week or even occassionally is not a big deal. Since you are young and seemingly healthy, I understand the desire to hope to reach 4x a week. So I'd say keep aiming for that. You are doing great though, so keep it up!
  • joinn68
    joinn68 Posts: 480 Member
    Michael190lbs has already covered the part about exercising for health. Now if you are exercising for weight loss, what you eat is actually more important. I hope you'll get some replies from weight losers who don't exercise.
    Now if you have other goals then health and weight loss that's another story
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Read this!!

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10164678/wheelchair-user-130lbs-healthier/p1
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    What's right or wrong for you largely depends on your goals, and whether you are exercising or training. Without knowing what you hope to achieve from the exercise, it's hard to know if the frequency is right.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Michael190lbs wrote: »
    Are you training for anything other than health if not three times a week is three times more than 90% of the people on this planet so yes its enough.


    Which is a pretty low bar.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    I exercise 3x per week and I'm in fantastic shape. It's enough

    The recommendation I got from my doctor was actually 150 minutes per week
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    How long are your long walks? For me long walks are fine for working out (7miles). 3x a week is a good start. See how you feel in a couple months and see if you can squeeze in one more.
  • EllaIsNotEnchanted
    EllaIsNotEnchanted Posts: 226 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    What's right or wrong for you largely depends on your goals, and whether you are exercising or training. Without knowing what you hope to achieve from the exercise, it's hard to know if the frequency is right.

    without goals or training knowledge we seriously do not know anything. Is it enough? IDK, is it enough for you?
  • Traveler120
    Traveler120 Posts: 712 Member
    According to the CDC,- http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/

    "For Even Greater Health Benefits
    Older adults should increase their activity to:
    5 hours (300 minutes) each week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity AND
    Muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms)"

    This essentially translates to 7 days a week. That's assuming an hour of aerobics on 5 days and on the other 2 days, full body strength training.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    edited October 2015
    ^^That's a cool link, Traveler. Notice they go on to say even more than 300 is even better. It doesn't appear that there's an actual upper limit
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    The average person is sedentary. That's the crisis of sedentary living in this country. The minimum recommendtion by ACSM is 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (walking at a moderate pace 5x a week for 30 minutes). About 20% or so of the population does that - maybe. That doesn't include any recommendations for areobic benefits, which you don't get from that.

    After achieving that, the recommendation is another 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity (at about 60 to 85% of max resting hr). That's where you actually breathe hard and sweat (OMG). Not a lot of Americans do that either.

    And new research is coming out that suggests that is barely enough.

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