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Exercise

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Original poster

How much exercise do you actually do?

177 replies

whimsicalname · 04/01/2015 02:51

That's it really. I think I've got in with the wrong crowd at my running club who all seem to workout 2 or more hours a day. Please tell me I'm not the only one not doing that.

OP posts:
Suzannewithaplan · 04/01/2015 07:58

?
Depends on what counts as exercise, for instance would you include yoga, or walking?
2 hours of moderate intensity exercise such as cycling is a very different kettle of fish from say 2 hours running
Fwiw I run about 30 to 40 miles a week, cycle about 30, and spend about 5 hours a week strength training.
Yoga about 30 mins per day. ?

Suzannewithaplan · 04/01/2015 08:01

It's around two hours a day, excluding yoga.

Happypiglet · 04/01/2015 08:08

You are not the only one not doing that! Sounds like a lot of exercise to me....
Currently I am doing nothing specific but plan to turn over a new leaf once DC back at school and will prob do 30 minute DVD of HIIT at most 5 times a week... And then all the usual day to day low intensity stuff, housework, school pick ups, gardening, walks and bike rides with family at weekends etc
I don't have time to exercise for 2 hours a day!!

CoffeeBucks · 04/01/2015 08:14

I exercise 4 or 5 days a week. On the 'off' days I will still do low intensity stuff like walking, I'm not completely inactive.

I run about 15-20k a week, strength train for about an hour and do some HIIT for an hour and a half over the five days. My plan is to increase the strength training this year.

Sirzy · 04/01/2015 08:18

I run 3 or 4 days a week for about half an hour (longer if I have time)

I do a DVD at home (davina fit in 7 at the moment) 5 mornings a week for half hour or so

I do weights/kettle bells/power hoop most evenings for about 20 mins

Fridayschild · 04/01/2015 08:21

The young and child-free at my running club are also very keen! I run for about an hour twice a week and cycle to work most days (an hour each way). Then I am active when I can be - walking up stairs on the tube, cycling locally rather than taking the car. This is a bit of a routine though, I could do with changing it to improve my fitness levels.

lljkk · 04/01/2015 08:25

70% of the population walks less than an hour a week (with no other exercise)
80% of women who work FT take no regular exercise whatsoever.

Stats off top of my head, but I think they're about correct.
So that's normal.
I work in a public health dept. & am surrounded by keen runners (many hours/week). I probably do 5% of the aerobic exercise they do, and am still far above the population average (esp. for my age & gender).

fanjobiscuits · 04/01/2015 08:27

Ha ha ha. F all for the past couple of years but have been to about 2.5 hrs worth over Christmas and booked in for an hour today.

lavendersun · 04/01/2015 08:29

I walk for an hour a day, good pace, I end up walking in just a t shirt and fleece, I get so warm.

Cross trainer 3 x a week for 30 mins.

Bike ride 2 x a week - 8 miles.

I used to do pilates too but seem to have stopped recently, must re-start.

I feel like I do enough other than bike riding, I would like to do more.

Suzannewithaplan · 04/01/2015 08:32

?I wonder what it is that people find surprising about the idea of exercising for 2 hours per day.

Is it that a person would choose to spend that long doing something physically strenuous?

Or is it more than someone has that much time to devote to something which seems self indulgent?

Or none of the above? ?

lavendersun · 04/01/2015 08:39

Not surprising at all but not something that I have ever done. When I worked in a firm with a gym in the building I used to manage an hour a day mon-fri and cycle/row at the weekend.

I was/am happy with that. I have lots of other things I like doing, riding my horse for instance (which can take 2 hours easily).

Exercise has always been about health for me, I am not competitive at all and don't feel passionate about any one sport.

I think I am fairly healthy though.

MelanieCheeks · 04/01/2015 08:51

Not many people have 2 hours "spare" in their day, I guess!

I run 3-4 times a week - Saturday parkrun is half an hour, and there'll be a longer run or 2 in there as well, but not much more than an hour. I go to a gentle dance class twice a week - the class is 2 hours long, but that includes tea and biccies, and isn't full on for 120 minutes. And I'll try to walk for 20 mins during my lunch hour.

Stillwishihadabs · 04/01/2015 08:57

Shocking stats Iijk but not all that surprising. I work 4/5 and do find it difficult to fit in. I aim for 3× a week. 1 run at the weekend, once in the week and a swim midweek. Also my job isn't completely sedentary.

WiseKneeHair · 04/01/2015 09:03

There were times when I would do 2 hours or more per day pre DC.
Now, I do 30-60 minutes (HIIT, running) 5-6 times per week.
For a long time, I didn't do anything though.

mrsmilkymoo · 04/01/2015 09:28

Well, I don't do any exercise other than pushing the pram...there's no way I could fit in 2 hours a day with a baby who doesn't like to nap. I have a treadmill gathering dust on the ground floor but no time to use it.

PhoebeMcPeePee · 04/01/2015 10:09

Assuming by virtue of being on this board we're not the 80% of women who do no exercise at all, I would say the only thing that surprises me to hear people doing 2 hours exercise a day is where they find the time!

I'm guessing most either don't work, don't have young DC &/or a DH who also wants time to exercise as these are definitely my stumbling blocks to fitting in more exercise. Seriously, how do I fit more in to my working week? Might need to start investing in some 'at home' kit for those nights DH is out & kiddies in bed.

Mitchy1nge · 04/01/2015 10:16

I aim to log on average an hour a day of exercise exercise - physical activity that is additional to daily life (which can be fairly physical, eg have 3 horses, walk dogs etc) or about 5-7 hours a week, it's mostly vigorous (running) but am often happy to spend the time doing a sort of moderately paced walk too

I really feel evangelical about the benefits of walking - not just as a means of transportation but as an activity in its own right, going for a walk for the sake of going for a walk!

bigbluestars · 04/01/2015 10:20

I also think most who reply to this question are those who exercise. So you will get an innacurate snapshot of how things really are.

For what it is worth though I do 5 gym classes a week, I have kids, I work full time and I am a carer for my elderly disabled mother.

meglet · 04/01/2015 10:29

3 x gym classes a week, one after work the other 2 on the days I don't work.

4 mile walk to work, and back, on the 3 days I work.

And sometimes a saturday Parkrun.

TBH it's not enough to tire me out and I sleep badly. I'm better with 6 hard workouts a week, but there's no time for that these days, totally LP with p/t job.

OnePlanOnHouzz · 04/01/2015 10:31

Do what feels right for you ! If you feel you start to plateau then up it - if that feels right ! A bit of competition is ok - but not if if makes you feel uneasy ! (Nb. For what it's worth I workout for an hour a day weekdays, but only if I feel like it !!! )

Suzannewithaplan · 04/01/2015 10:35

?
Some people spend more time in intense exercise because it means that they can eat more and stay lean, others for the psychological benefits.
Some may be training for an event.
Some may exaggerate!?

bigbluestars · 04/01/2015 10:39

It is also about priorities.

Finding time to exercise for me is paramount.
I don't own an iron- and rarely dust.

marriednotdead · 04/01/2015 10:41

Just to balance things up a bit.

None. I am active, on my feet all day, BMI under 21 and in pretty good health but I don't exercise at all. I haven't ever found one I enjoy although I know I should try again.

SinglePringle · 04/01/2015 10:42

3 x 45min High Intesity Spin classes a week (it's a full body class, using weights on the bike also)

2 x 60min Pilates classes a week (one mat / one ball or barre)

1 x 45min swim a week (1000 metres)

PingPongBat · 04/01/2015 10:45

bigblue is right you will probably only get those who do exercise on here... so to add another balancing comment - I do no 'strenuous' exercise at all Blush (not even walking to work which is only about a mile and a half away).

Pilates once a week though, which has transformed my back.

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