How Long Should You Exercise?

December 6, 2013

Mark Elliott, MD
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

 

Which is better…

One hour of moderate cardiovascular exercise or 10-20 minutes of high intensity interval training?

Logic would say an hour has to be better than only 10-20 minutes.  The fact is, however, that short efforts of higher intensity with some resistance training included may make people fitter and give them the body they want more effectively than hours of moderate intensity exercise.

The extreme example of this is Tabata interval training. This involves (8) 20 second, 100% efforts with 10 seconds rest between intervals. Any full body exercise will do, such as rowing, running, burpees etc.

This is a 4 minute workout. Science shows that athletes subjected to Tabata training had more improvement in aerobic and anaerobic capacity than a similar group exercising at moderated intensity for an hour a day. So remember longer is not always better.

Intensity and variety of exercise are critical to fitness level. Next time you’re at the gym, head over to the stairclimber or row machine and do some interval training! Your body, and mirror, will be glad that you did.