How Long Should Workout Last?

The recommended duration of a workout depends on several factors such as your fitness goals, intensity level, and individual preferences. Here's a general guideline to help you determine how long your workouts should be:

1. Strength training: For strength and muscle building, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of strength training per session, excluding warm-up and cool-down. Each workout should include compound exercises targeting major muscle groups. Rest periods between sets should be relatively short (30 seconds to 2 minutes) to maintain intensity.

2. Endurance training (cardio): If your goal is to improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise most days of the week. This could include activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or running.

3. High-intensity interval training (HIIT): HIIT workouts involve alternating between short periods of intense exercise and brief rest intervals. HIIT sessions are typically shorter and can range from 15 to 30 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down.

4. Circuit training: Circuit training combines cardio and strength exercises into a circuit. Each circuit includes multiple exercises performed one after the other with minimal rest in between. Circuit workouts typically last for 20 to 45 minutes.

5. Yoga or Pilates: Yoga and Pilates sessions typically last for 60 to 90 minutes and focus on flexibility, strength, and balance.

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to exercise. It's better to engage in regular shorter workouts rather than infrequent longer sessions. Also, don't forget to include a warm-up before your workout and a cool-down afterward to minimize the risk of injuries and aid recovery.

What Is Exercise Bulimia and How It Treated? How You Can Exercise to Help Prevent Heart Disease