To get the most out of your workout routine, how long you exercise can be just as important as how often you workout. And there’s no doubt that what you’re doing during your sweat session matters, too.
Whether you’re looking to stay healthy, lose weight, build muscles in your arms, or anything in between, choosing an effective workout routine is key to crushing your goals (rest-time included). As a bonus: The benefits of working out include lessening the risk of stroke, hypertension, dementia, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, and some cancers.
Thankfully, there are a variety of avenues like gyms, boutique fitness classes, and personal training to help adult-age individuals achieve the 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity per week recommended by the The Center for Disease Control.
“It is important to alternate between high impact and low impact activities to allow the body proper rest,” says Becca Pham, an instructor at 305 Fitness in Boston. High impact exercise indicates both feet are off the ground. This includes running, high knees, and burpees. Low impact workouts include walking, cycling, and kayaking.