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How much vigorous exercise do you really need a week?

By Penelope Clifton

January 17, 2022

Source: Body & Soul

Photo Source: Tyler Nix

We are officially in 2022 and our New Year health and fitness resolutions are already waning.

But what if we told you that going hard at the gym for long periods, or flogging yourself for tens of kilometres on your daily run isn’t necessary? That around 22-minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise is all it takes to reap maximum benefits?

A new study by JAMA Internal Medicine has found that 150 minutes of exercise each week lowers your risk of mortality. While yes, you do need to work up a sweat, a brisk power walk, a short and sharp HIIT class, a quick spin on the Peloton, or even a dance around the house will do the job.


A study of 403,681 participants in a National Health Interview Survey done from 1997 to 2013, found that moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with statistically significantly lower all-cause mortality.

Analysts then combed the self-reported physical activity of the participating adults to compare their exercise habits to their lifespan and incidences of illness. Those who consistently completed 150 minutes of exercise per week, amounting to around 22 minutes a day, enjoyed a better physical existence and enhanced their chance at a longer, healthier life.

But, and of course there’s a “but”.

The experts still want you to choose more vigorous exercise moves over the moderate. The study advises health professional recommend patients or clients exercise for 150 minutes or more per week at a moderate to vigorous pace, but insist participating in vigorous physical activity alone will maximise your health further and lower your risk of early death from the likes of cardiovascular disease and cancer.


How could a less than an hour of daily exercise impact your health? How could you introduce this time into your schedule this year? How can you make it a habit?



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