Is exercise 4x a week excessive?

[Passitontheleft]

I have been through some personal things recently which caused me to stop all my exercise and sport hobbies back in April. I’m coming out of the other side now and in the last few weeks started picking things back up. Before my break, I did badminton, yoga, and pole once a week.

Now I do those three still and I’ll be doing pole twice a week now and starting Reformer Pilates this week.

A friend has expressed concern and thinks I’m “overcompensating” for the break I had and feels it’s excessive because I’m “already fit and healthy.” She thinks that doing pole twice weekly now will make my toned arms muscly in combination with the other active things and that I’ll develop broad shoulders.

Does anyone else do exercise 4-5x weekly? Is this excessive? I wouldn’t say I’m making up for lost time as such, but I stopped everything for 4 months and was depressed tbh and getting back into pole, for example, is harder after such a break. I also don’t want to neglect my exercise and fitness again despite being “fit and healthy” currently.

No it's not excessive

Not excessive at all.

No. I generally do something everyday.

No, it’s fine.

Does your friend do less than that? That's usually the situation with these type of comments! The amount you suggest sounds perfect to me.

I wouldn’t think so. I run five or six times a week, and do weights about the same. I used to also do three or four gym classes on top but have cut those out now purely due to having no extra time!

I exercise 5 to 6 times a week. I wonder what your friend would say about me

It depends. 1-2 hours max 4-5 times a week no. 4 hours 4-5 times a week obsessive

Course it's not. Tell her to mind her own business. I exercise 5 times a week and if I had more time it would be every single day.

Not excessive - as long as you’re having rest days there’s nothing wrong with 4x a week

Not excessive at all.

"She thinks that doing pole twice weekly now will make my toned arms muscly in combination with the other active things and that I’ll develop broad shoulders."

Even guys have to work hard with weights to get muscly arms and broad shoulders.

Unless you're regularly lifting some very serious weights then that simply isn't going to happen.

And, no, exercising a few times a week is definitely not excessive.

No, I do something most days. I'm fit and healthy because of it, when I'm not doing it it's because I'm not doing very well.

As to the shoulders, what's wrong with that? I've always been a regular swimmer and you can see it. Couldn't give a toss.

Christ on a bike who is your friend telling you that your arms will get muscly and you will get broad shoulders.

Firstly to get muscly you need to actively eat in a calorie surplus and lift very heavy weight- what you will do is become more toned not muscly. You will retain muscle mass which is good as we lose it every year after 30.

As for broad shoulders, that is structural. I am broad shouldered, it's my bone frame, I can't change it whether I am skinny or muscly. Loads of men find it really sexy and I don't give a shit. Focus on what you can do and love to do and not what your friend wants you to look like.

Just googled the recommended weekly amount as I recall it is much more than people think. She just sounds jealous. Go and enjoy all those endorphins. And unless you are training for the Olympics you won't get huge broad shoulders, just lovely toned ones!

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/#:~:text=do%20at%20least%20150%20minutes,not%20moving%20with%20some%20activity

Sounds like your friend needs to do more exercise!

I’m a lazy cow, but I think your friend sounds jealous, you crack on!

No it's fine - 5/6 times for me is the norm although holiday time is a challenge

No, I do around x6 gym classes per week, but they're only 45 minutes, which doesn't actually feel very much to me!

Your fiend should probably take a look at the NHS physical activity guide. It recommends 150min of aerobic exercise per week and strength exercises on 2 or more days which work all muscles of the body.
So, that's at least 5 30-minute sessions of cardio plus 2 strength workouts. And this is a minimum requirement for health.
I work out 4 times a week with heavy weights. I can assure you I do not look like a man. I have good muscle tone in my arms and my back is a perfectly normal size.
I also do daily walks and one yoga session on top of that.

I exercise 5-6 times a week, and my days "off" I always try to do a walk or bike ride or something active at least.
It sounds like you have a lovely mix of activities

I'm 63 and do 7 hours of 'formal' (ie classes) exercise per week, split over 4 days. I'm also generally active and do walking and cycling. I don't think what you are doing is excessive at all. I have no idea how old you are OP (I suspect much younger than me) but my advice would be keep doing it. Your body (and health) will thank you when you are my age 💐

And I agree with PPs - she sounds jealous!

Not at all, I get 7-10 hours of exercise a week over 6 days. As long as there’s some variety it’s fine!

Do what’s right and feels good for you OP

That's not excessive and you should just ignore her. I do gym 5x a week and will add Pilates and yoga once they start again from August.