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How long do your gym sessions last?

lazygingerbread
lazygingerbread Posts: 12 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm just curious to know what other people consider a good length for a gym session/how much long manage each time (especially those with busy lives!)

I don't track closely but my sessions recently tend to last 45-90 mins each time (depending on whether I do a bit of cardio/ how long rests between sets are), and I aim for 3/4 times a week (although some weeks I'm lucky to fit in 2!). Any more than this and I feel like I'm avoiding my workload/other errands. These sessions are usually a mixture of cardio, free weights, body weight exercises and weight machines.

Just wondered (nosy) what other people do! (and no judging other people's routines please, keep it friendly
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Replies

  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    I typically spend 45min- an hour tops at the gym. I super-set all my weights and only take 30 second rests so I am working as hard as I can in that time, but I hate spending hours at the gym.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    No more than an hour in the weight room a couple days per week. My weekday rides are typically around 40-45 minutes...I usually have a longer ride on Saturday...maybe 90 - 120 minutes, but sometimes just 60.

    I spend more time and get in more miles cycling when I'm purposefully training for an event...but I bring it back down afterwards. I used to train like I was going to go out and ride a century on any given day and that ultimately resulted in me having less enjoyment of my bike and burnout...not to mention an injury that kept me sidelined for over 3 months and then another 2-3 months of really light activity.
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    Anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes depending on which week of my training block I'm in. Shortest being the week I deload and longest the week before that.
  • timsla
    timsla Posts: 174 Member
    Typically 90-120 minutes.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,200 Member
    As long as needed and depending on my workout of the day, but usually between 60 and 90 minutes. I can go as long as two hours if I extend my cool-down/stretches exercises. Actually, I can live in the gym if I didn't have a husband at home ;)
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    15-20 min for cardio.. and 45-75min for lifting (including warmup and rest)
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    right now i'm at 2-3 hours 4 times a week, but its kinda dominating everything and making my s/o upset. after my meet, i'm gonna cut it in half for a while
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I'm in and out in not too much more than half an hour. I do only a five minute warmup and I only have a few exercises that I do multiple sets on (legs mostly), the upper body stuff I just do one set till failure and done. I spend much more time on cardio activities but I don't do cardio at the gym.
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    I generally do a 20 min warmup, 20 to 30 minutes on the stairmaster and then 60 to 70 minutes lifting weights 4 days per week. I walk or swim on the other days. I like being at the gym though and have the time in the morning so it's working for me.
  • Zichu
    Zichu Posts: 542 Member
    I follow PHUL, so it varies between each day. My upper power can take about 2 hours, the other days are between an 1 and 1.5 hours.

    Bit difficult to super set stuff because it can get fairly busy at the gym I go to. I also take longer rest periods during my heavy compound lifts, along with doing multiple warm up sets. So those usually take up a lot of the time.
  • ArvinSloane
    ArvinSloane Posts: 80 Member
    I'm running a high frequency powerlifting program, and I'm generally in the gym for 1.5-2 hours, five days a week. That includes warmups and two main compound movements (squat/bench/DL and variations) plus three or four accessories each day. I take 3-5 minute rests on the compounds, 1-2 minutes on the accessories.
  • Thehardmakesitworthit
    Thehardmakesitworthit Posts: 838 Member
    The gym is my sanctuary but have little ones at home so after they go to bed I go to an EMPTY gym for at least 1.5 to 2 hours at a time at least 3 times a week. I have a favorite 10 mile walk I also do at least once a week so I can be outside.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Whatever is needed. 45 minutes to 3+ hours.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited August 2017
    Everybody will be different according to their specific goals. You might be better off asking how people with your goals are lifting

    I'm a powerlifter, so my training includes more rest in between sets the higher intensity I train.

    Two hours x 3 days a week.

    I'm looking to lower the time by adding a day and reprogramming after my meet.
  • recognitionscene
    recognitionscene Posts: 7 Member


    Morning routine: Jillian Michael's Beginner Shred 5x/week and 8 Minute Arms (10 lb weights) or Buns (it is kind of retro, but I still love it) 4x/week
    Gym routine: 1 hour on the elliptical 4x/week
    Once a week I do P90x Stretch because it feels good and is relaxing.

    I weigh 230 pounds and I've only been exercising regularly for a couple months, but I am feeling really good with this routine. It is enough so that I can feel that I've been working out without making me uncomfortably sore.



  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
    Used to do 2 HR sessions lot of recovery, lighter weight.

    Now just doing very good quality 30 mins to 45 mins minimal recovery between.

  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    45 mins 5x a week for lifting.
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    I'm in a women's boxing group and we meet 3 days a week for 2 hour. The first hours is weights and conditioning while the second is boxing training. Those are my longer workout days. With the remaining 4 days in the week 2 are for jogs or some type of light cardio 30-60min and 2 are rest days where I sometimes do yoga or go for a hike but mostly relax.
  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    I try to pack in as much as possible in an hour. Anything over that is cool down/stretches.
  • gcibsthom
    gcibsthom Posts: 30,145 Member
    30 mins cardio, 12 minutes ab crunches....20-25 minutes lifting...daily
  • x_desertcolt_x
    x_desertcolt_x Posts: 253 Member
    up to 2 hours when im going heavy. take 2-3 minutes rest between sets
  • VeronicaA76
    VeronicaA76 Posts: 1,116 Member
    Usually about 2 hours. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
  • MrsLannister
    MrsLannister Posts: 347 Member
    45 minutes strength followed by 30 - 60 minutes cardio 4 days a week. Cardio depends on if I do Zumba or rowing/treadmill/whatever.
  • KarenSmith2018
    KarenSmith2018 Posts: 302 Member
    1 hour CrossFit class 4x a week. 1 run ranging from 30 mins to 90 as i am training for a half marathon at the moment. Yoga for 30 mins 1x a week. Anything much over an hour expect for a long run i wonder what i am doing! So much more in life than spending hours and hours in the gym most of the time
  • FlufferCat
    FlufferCat Posts: 39 Member
    Home gym.
    I warm up for about 20 minutes.
    Lift weights for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
    It depends what I'm doing.Legs seem to take longer.
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    corgarian wrote: »
    I typically spend 45min- an hour tops at the gym. I super-set all my weights and only take 30 second rests so I am working as hard as I can in that time, but I hate spending hours at the gym.

    This. I don't time my rest, and superset everything to fit it into my lunch hour.
    Two of my workouts I can do in 35 mins (plus warm up and stretching time), the 6-exercise day takes closer to 45 mins.

    I find I get much better results with short but intense weights workouts, and lots more rest.
  • TomHayward78
    TomHayward78 Posts: 20 Member
    I try and get everything done in an hour
  • TashaaaKayeee
    TashaaaKayeee Posts: 114 Member
    Ranges from an hour to an hour and half. I'll lift weights first then do some kind of cardio at the end. On days I really feel the pump I'll be there for 2 hours.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    I'm in the gym for about an hour.

    5-10 minutes of cardio for warmup, a good half hour of weights and other strength-based exercises (OH GODS I HATE ALL THE CORE ONES MAKE THE PAIN STOP), and fifteen minutes of cardio at the end.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending.
This discussion has been closed.

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