Lengthy Workout Sessions May Not Be Best
By Tom Herrin
When people think about their time exercising, they often feel that it should be lengthy. The notion that more is better seems to be a standard for some. Even though it may sound good, it is not always the gold standard. In some cases, long workouts may become counterproductive. Exercise should be done with a purpose. Whether someone is trying to develop some particular muscles, improve cardio, have better movement, or some other thing, having a goal in mind is really essential to success. This may be done in small increments that may salvage time that is so precious in the crunch to get so many things accomplished. With good planning, anyone can design a program that is time-efficient as well as productive.
High-Intensity Workouts May Be Short
Several studies have been made on people who have shortened a workout but increased the intensity of the exercise in short spurts. While this may not be for everyone, it may work great for some. In some studies, the results of these workouts have been compared to those who spend considerably longer in their workout. These short workouts may include only a minute or two of seriously intense exercise with periods of slowdown. The basic idea of such a workout is to do so for 10 minutes or so while mixing shorter bursts of activity throughout.
Walking Can Always Be an Alternative
Some people don't care for increased intensity. In these cases, walking is a good option. If people feel they need to increase their activity, a bike ride may be another way. According to a Japanese study, people who rode one for 10 minutes per day on a regular basis were happier and able to perform various activities showing improved reaction time. Improvement of overall health should be a goal of any program.
Take Advantage of the Time Gained
When you manage to save time by participating in mini-sessions, you can pick up extra time that can be yours to do with as you please. I have found that, when I have been able to do more with less, I have created quite a bit of additional time for whatever I really wanted to do. That is always a good thing. As I have learned to manage those short sessions, I have had good physical results also. If time is something you find hard to get more of, try a few minutes of working out and see the results.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Worth, Tex.