How many hours of exercise do you do each week?

[iknowwheretheothersockgoes]

I'm starting to think I need to get myself into shape, but I can't work out if it will be enough. How much do you do per week?

Here's my plan :

Monday - 1 hour Pilates 1 hour swim
Tuesday - 1 hour gym (cycling, cross trainer, rowing)
Wednesday - 1 hour swim
Thursday - 1 hour gym (as above) or swim
Friday - 1 hour pilates

Is that enough to get me feeling physically fit? It's only 6 hours, which doesn't seem like a lot.

I do 3-4 runs a week, weights, one gym class (don’t like it but do it to support a friend) and play a sport. Between 5 and 10 hours a week.

Given what you said here and the post above about having motivation “once you’re at the gym” then I really think you’re setting yourself up to fail by saying you’ll work out every single night during the week

Thanks. It's a mixture of morning, afternoon and evening not every evening.

I'm not sure what's so awful about me not liking group exercise classes that aren't calm. I hate the weird competitive high intensity classes. I find them intimidating and uncomfortable. I'm fine on my own in the gym and don't need the pressure of others to exercise. I'm more than able to encourage myself.

I'm trying to get fitter at the moment and aim for 40 mins (30 mins weights, 10 mins abs) of Caroline Girvan 4 x week. In my ideal world I'd also do 2-3 30 min runs but I just can't fit it in with commuting to London and nursery pick ups. As others say, set a realistic goal and build from there.

Personally I'd recommend starting small and working up, rather than the other way around. Some of the schedules on here are a different sort of lifestyle choice and I think only sustainable in certain circumstances. Far better to go for something realistic and add on when you can or want to.

If you're older it's better to mix your routines also. So a couple of short high intensity sessions, a strength session (very important if you're older / menopausal) and a stretch / flexibility session. None of these need to take longer than half an hour and you can double up on them so that for example one day you're doing your cardio and strength sessions in one go or back to back. Factor in at least two rest days.

To me that feels like a realistic schedule. People can be evangelical about exercise so it's natural that these types of threads will attract those who invest a lot of time and effort in it.

It seems I thought I wasn't going to be doing enough, but it seems that I'm committing myself too much. Not what I was expecting! 🤔

2 x yoga 1hr class each pw
3 x HITT 1 hr class each pw
1 x Pilates class 1hr pw
2 x Strength classes 1hr class pw
Aim for 2 or 3 runs x 45 mins to 1hr per week
Dog walk daily
Teach PT clients 4 or 5 x 1hr sessions a week
Work F/T 2 kids.

I fit all my exercise or PT classes in between 6.30am and 9am during the week and in the evenings. I WFH so can eat at my desk. Shower at lunchtime.
My kids are teenagers so fairly self sufficient. I walk the dog straight after sessions or dog will come on the runs or joins in with outdoor exercise sessions with the help of a ball thrower. I don't see exercise as something to fit in, its just part of my life that keeps my MH in check, is pretty much my social life - I run and exercise with my friends and catch up with them at the gym or in a class. I basically live in workout gear - it means I have very little laundry that requires much folding or ironing and wearing regular clothes feelsl like a treat. If I'm home and need to look half decent for a zoom call i sling a sweater over the top :-)

My point wasn’t about you disliking group exercise classes, it was more that you said you had motivation to workout only once you’re at the gym

I’d give you a different answer if you were already working out 3-4 times a week but going from nothing to 6 hours is likely to be too much. As if it was realistic, you’d already be working out a few times a week

I got yelled at when I said on another thread I couldn't understand how someone (with healthy legs & mind) got as little as 1300-2000 steps in one day. I actually said they were probably undercounting.

I sort of get it but then I can't because I would just get so bored, is why I couldn't move so little. There's always ruddy housework to do, for a start.

One way to squeeze in some active minutes: when I had to chaperone DC to activities that lasted 30-60 minutes (eg swim lesson): I went for a run/walk or did errands while waiting for them to finish, rather than sit and watch & natter, or drive home to do 10-20 minutes of 'whatever' stuff. If weather was tolerable & I had to mind other small DC, we could at least go outside & wander around, maybe kick a ball.

There's a local guy who does his business calls while walking his dogs (40 minutes each 2x/day).

I park at the very first spot I see at supermarket, sports park, DIY store etc.: guarantees a bit of extra walk to/from the shop door, and doesn't take longer than looking for a closer-to-door parking spot.

#Procrastinating when I should be doing my taxes

Only three, unfortunately. Trying to do 4 as I go along. I feel unfit and fat, after my miscarriage in November. Doing my best to get back to the real me.

I probably average between 6-8k steps a day at the minute, frustratingly close to 10k but not quite there

@Indiaplain I saw that and it's funny as I already squat while brushing my teeth and it's been brilliant!! I found it hard to hold it for 2 minutes at first but it's habit now.

I've just looked at my Strava log for 2022. I average 4hr 48 mins exercise a week.
I log runs, swims, bike rides, circuits and walks (like going for an actual walk).

For 2023 so far (7 weeks) I've averaged just over 5hrs a week.

2021 was 4hrs 40 mins.

I don't see exercise as something to fit in, its just part of my life that keeps my MH in check, is pretty much my social life - I run and exercise with my friends and catch up with them at the gym or in a class.

That would be impossible for me & anyone I know. My friends don't all live near each other or have the same schedule or go to the same gym. I have a friend through my gym but we can't chat during a class, it's coffee or food after.

That's interesting, how fit do you feel?

Compared to lots of PPs, I do much less exercise per week.

I manage 3 aerobics / dance classes a week, sometimes 4. The only way I know I can fit them in is by doing it at 6am (8am on a Saturday) while DH is at home. I would like to do more, but working full time, 2 kids with all their activities, plus trying to fit in with DH too, it's what I can manage.

I've managed it consistently, which I think is the most important - I'm of the view that you can look at the research which says you should x type of exercise for x amount of minutes, x times a week, but what matters more is actually doing something which you like and can keep doing rather than throwing yourself into a daily exercise regime that you can't keep up around everything else that's going on in your life.. plus if it feels like a chore, it's not going to be something you continue long-term.

Some of the responses on here are nuts. I only know of one person whose exercise schedule resembles the Uber fit ones here and she is a PT.

Most of the other mums who work out daily don't work.

I don't recognise these responses as representative at all.

About 3 hours of planned exercise, but I have 4 kids and don't work so I walk miles each day just around the house, as well as school runs and weekend activities. I also do yoga and pilates to wind down. I'm quite fit and strong, I can't run but have good stamina for carrying and walking.

I cycle to work and back every weekday - 15mins each way. Tuesday is running club - 4 miles/40 mins. Saturday Parkrun 5k. Weekends - minimum 5k dog walk

Want to do a third run but finding it hard to fit in

You can't see outside of your own personal experience?

I know of lots of people who are obsessed by exercise and they do something daily, while varying the type to avoid injury. I work from home mostly so manage to fit it in, but I'm dead on my feet, after a long day, with some of my evening classes.

OP you say this
"I think I'd also to have more strength and endurance (which im hoping to increase through the gym work). And improve my stability, my core strength is pathetic." Would you consider say x10 personal training sessions that focus on weights/resistance? I think PT sessions are a real investment in to learning new skills and routines. For me it massively improved the outcomes of my time spent in the gym (using my new skills and confidence) and also opened up a whole new type of exercise that even included HIIT which, like you, I'd previously thought was not at all for me. Don't start with Hiit but don't rule it out down the line.

Pretty fit.
I'm struggling with declining performance with my running lately, but pushing on. I used to JUST run, but now mix it up a bit which I think I need to do at my age (52), and with more time I'm able to do other things which take more time (long bike ride, or going to a class).

I was surprised my average is so even across the years. It makes me think I've naturally got a good balance of exercise and recovery.

Most of the other mums who work out daily don't work.

I don't know anyone who works out properly every day - a rest day is important (I'm not including walking the dog etc).

I know plenty of people who take their exercise very seriously and work. I'm sure most of the people in my exercise peer groups are parents and work.

I know of lots of people who are obsessed by exercise and they do something daily,

I'm not sure it's good to be obsessed with anything...

No! DH isn't sporty. He used to run/come to the gym with me but that was a long time ago. Occasionally I give him a nudge, but he's not bothered at the moment. DDs are old enough to be left at home/do their own thing (though often they come to the gym with me at the weekend as they enjoy it too).

I'm only actually out for just over an hour two evenings a week for yoga, I do two gym sessions when I work from home, one at the weekend in the afternoon when not much else is going on usually, and I run in the morning when family either haven't got up yet or are at school. So it doesn't really impact much on family time or what anyone else is doing, unless we are away for the weekend in which case I'd fit something else in or just chill out and skip it.