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When it comes to making exercise a consistent part of your life, establishing a fitness routine that works for you is key. We’re all looking for that perfect balance: Exercising frequently enough to optimize our health, without working out too much and running the risk of injury or exhaustion.
Many clients come to me with the same question: Can I (or should I) work out every day?
The answer is yes and no — it depends on how you define working out.
I advise most people to engage in some form of movement every single day. When we move our bodies, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and the cardiovascular system works more efficiently during daily tasks. Not to mention that movement is an important contributing factor to our mental health, too. Especially during this busy time of year, taking time to move your body each day is an important way to lower your stress levels.
But moving every day doesn’t necessarily mean “working out” in the traditional sense. What daily movement looks like for each person will, and should, vary. Let’s break it down.
Do I have to work out every day?
If you’re wondering whether you need to do a hardcore, sweat-inducing workout every single day, the answer is no. (That’s a relief, right?) People are often intimidated by starting a fitness routine because they assume it means intense exercise every day, but your workout plan should also include low-impact, recovery activities like 20 minutes of walking, stretching, foam rolling or gentle yoga.
In fact, at the maximum, I recommend doing strength training three times a week for 30 minutes and cardio exercise five days a week for 30 minutes. Of course, if you are an athlete or training for a race, your workout schedule may be more intense than this. But those are my recommendations for people who are in generally good health and want to…
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