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How long should I workout each day to see results?
If you’re a member of our Start TODAY Facebook group, you know that a 20-minute walk is the mainstay of our monthly workout plans.
Many people are shocked to see fitness plans that only call for a 20-minute workout each day. They often ask me if that’s really enough time to see any significant changes in their body and make a dent in their weight-loss goal.
It’s a common question: What is the ideal amount of time for a workout?
First of all, some movement is better than no movement. Even five minutes of activity has health benefits! So I discourage people from putting a time limit on an effective workout. This is a trap I see people fall into way too often. For example, telling yourself that if you can’t fit in a 30-minute walk, then you won’t walk at all, or if you can’t motivate yourself to do that 45-minute bootcamp then it’s not worth it to exercise.
Even Jennifer Aniston admitted to falling victim to this trap. She recently shared that she had a “light bulb moment” trying shorter workouts and shifted her perspective on fitness away from thinking only longer workouts are worth it.
That being said, the CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, per week. So 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week is the goal to aim for. But if you aren’t currently exercising, I don’t recommend starting with that goal from the get-go. Instead, work your way up gradually for a sustainable routine you’re more likely to make a habit.
New to exercise? Start with 5 minutes.
So much of establishing — and sticking to — a workout routine is mental. Starting with a workout length that is too ambitious can be daunting and make it hard to stay motivated. Plus, you’ll feel better about your body, boost your mood, and feel…
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