Why is 30 minutes of exercise better than an hour? (2023)

Why is 30 minutes of exercise a day enough?

“It is quite clear from numerous large-scale, well-conducted epidemiological studies that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days lowers the risk of premature death and many diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, Type 2 diabetes and many types of cancer,” said Ulf Ekelund, a professor specializing in ...

Just 30 minutes of exercise per day can make all the difference in the fight to reduce heart disease. Something as natural as a brisk walk can improve your heart's health, so whether it's taking out the dog or walking to buy groceries, a half-hour stomp will get your heart pumping.

2 Walking for several shorter periods of time that added up to 30 minutes per day has been shown to be just as effective as taking one long walk.

Since it's more efficient, you'll burn more calories per mile when you're going faster — even if it means you're running for a shorter amount of time.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, 30 minutes of daily exercise is just as effective for losing weight as 60 minutes.

The specific benefits of daily 30-minute workouts, such as reduced risk of disease and increased bone density, can only be measured by your doctor. However, many positive changes will stand out to you and your loved ones, including increased energy, a firmer body, and a stronger immune system.

As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.

Within three to six months, an individual can see a 25 to 100% improvement in their muscular fitness – providing a regular resistance program is followed. Most of the early gains in strength are the result of the neuromuscular connections learning how to produce movement.

Training for Body Composition

If you're trying to put on muscle, training twice daily can yield greater potential gains than one workout per day. This is due to increased protein synthesis (triggering muscle repair and growth) and a chance to increase overall training volume, which is associated with muscle gains.

30 Minutes of Exercise Can Significantly Improve Your Health

Yes, it is! Most people think that if they can only fit in 30 minutes of exercise it won't be enough, especially compared to a 45-minute spin class or a 1-hour yoga class. However, 30 minutes of exercise is more than enough time to get in a great workout.

How fit in 30 minutes exercise a day?

If your goals are to exercise for health and longevity, 30 minutes a day for five days a week is perfect. According to the CDC, adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week to reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases.

For aerobic exercise, the guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity spread over the week – for example, 30 minutes per day on 5 days of the week. The advice on muscle-strengthening exercise is that it should be performed at least twice each week.