How Much Exercise Per Week? Exercise Recommendations

We all know we should exercise, but what comes next? Do you know how much exercise should be done per week, what to do, and how to get started? Here is what you should know so you can get motivated and get moving.

Exercise Is Medicine

Why exercise? There are so many reasons related to weight control, health, and wellbeing. Exercise can help with weight loss, since it burns calories and increases metabolism. It is even more closely tied to weight maintenance, or prevention of weight gain or regain, likely because it helps with discipline and motivation.

Another reason to exercise is for its health effects. Lark Diabetes Prevention Program is an example of a health program that promotes exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) goes so far as to promote Exercise as Medicine [1] through publicization, research, and education. Physical activity at any weight can lead to the following benefits, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. [2]

• Increased insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar, and reduced risk for diabetes
• Lower blood pressure and reduced risk for hypertension
• Reduced risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, depression, and certain cancers
• Improved cognition and reduced risk for dementia
• Reduced risk for osteoporosis
• Better function with conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis

The benefits of exercise in chronic disease are important, but exercise also offers more instantly tangible and gratifying rewards. People who exercise can:

• Feel less anxious, more confident, and energized
• Expect to fall asleep faster and sleep better, be more alert during the day, and feel happier in general.

From fitness to wellness to disease management, the amounts and types of recommended exercise per week are consistent for most people. In general, the following guidelines are appropriate for most people who are healthy or who are trying to prevent or manage diabetes or hypertension and have no interfering conditions. If you are unsure of how much exercise per week is enough for yo, just ask your doctor before getting started.

Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity – Aerobic (“Cardio”) Activity

Moderate-intensity physical activity, also known as aerobic exercise, is what often comes to mind first when we think of exercise. Examples include:

• Walking and running
• Cycling
• Playing basketball
• Tennis
• Skiing
• Rowing
• Dancing
• Weeding

Aerobic activity gets your heart rate up and makes you breathe faster, but it is not so intense that you have to stop after a few minutes. Regular aerobic activity offers most of the benefits that you think of with exercise, including:

• Weight control
• Better health
• Improved mood and concentration

How Much Exercise Per Week

The recommendation from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is for healthy adults to achieve at least 150 to 300 minutes per week (30 to 60 minutes 5 days a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity (MIPA) [3]. More can lead to additional benefits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) [4] and American Heart Association (AHA) [5] agree with these recommendations for otherwise-healthy individuals with high blood glucose and blood pressure, respectively.

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Strength Training

Strength training is not just for body builders, and you do not need to avoid it for fear that you will “bulk up.” You can improve strength, tone up, and slim down without looking like a bodybuilder if you do not want to.

You can use weights, many of which can be purchased under $20, such as:

• Barbells
• Dumbbells
• Kettlebells
• Weight machines
• Cables
• Resistance bands
• Weighted balls
• Body weight

Strength Training Benefits:

• Increases your metabolism throughout the day
• Lowers injury risk
• Has health benefits, such as improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood pressure, as aerobic activity
• Useful in your daily life when you need to carry heavy objects

Three Components of Strength Training:

• Frequency (how often you perform the activities): Aim to exercise each of your major muscle groups at least twice per week. You can work all of your muscle groups in a single day, or do a few muscle groups on one day and other groups on another.
• Intensity (how heavy the weight you use is): The weight should be enough to get your muscles tired by the end, but light enough that you can maintain proper form and avoid injury.
• Sets and repetitions (how many times you lift): For strength-building and bone health benefits, aim to do 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions for a given exercise. That means you lift the weight 8 to 12 times (“repetitions”) to complete 1 “set,” rest, do another set of 8 to 12 repetitions, rest, and perform your third set of 8 to 12 “reps.”

These are the major muscle groups and examples of exercises you can do.

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Other Types of Activities

Other types of activities include flexibility, balance, and alternative activities. These activities can:

• Lower injury risk
• Speed recovery
• Provide mental benefits to make exercise more enjoyable so that you stay interested and motivated

Flexibility. Stretching can increase flexibility and range of motion, and lower injury risk. Stretch gently after workouts when your muscles are warm. Yoga can also increase flexibility.

Balance. Better balance can lower your risk of falls. You can improve balance with these activities:

• Using a wobble board and by standing on one foot
• Walking heel-to-toe on a line
• Walking backwards
• Tai chi
• Yoga

Getting Started and Making It A Habit

The benefits of exercise are greatest when you make exercise a habit, but how do you get started? First, get your doctor’s approval if you are an older adult or have any health conditions. Then, work up to exercise recommendations per week, gradually. Start with as little as a few minutes if that is right for you.

The easier you make exercise, the easier it will be to make it a habit. Here are some tips.

• Schedule your workouts in your calendar so you are sure to set aside enough time.
• Get proper shoes, clothes, and any necessary equipment, and set them out the night before so they are ready when you need them the next day.
• Accommodate any health conditions, such as checking blood sugar before and after your workout and having fast-acting high-carb snacks handy in case of hypoglycemia if you have diabetes.

One of the most important strategies for long-term fitness is to find something you love. Exercise may be medicine, but it is the kind with sugar in it. There is an activity out there for everyone; it may just take a little digging to discover the one(s) for you. You might consider the following:

• Alone, with a friend, or in a group class
• Indoors or outdoors
• Competitive or not

Getting Help

Friends, family, a personal trainer, and fitness instructors can help you along the way. A personal health coach can also help. Lark is a fully-automated program that is available to users 24/7. You can chat with your coach anytime, set and work towards exercise and diet goals, and get customized feedback and coaching. With motivation, reminders, and tracking features, Lark DPP and other Lark programs can help you hit exercise recommendations and is Fully CDC Recognized.

Full Recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)

A Diabetes Prevention Program, such as Lark DPP, is designed to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay progression to type 2 diabetes. A DPP has a specially-designed curriculum to help you learn about weight loss, increasing physical activity, and lifestyle tips to help you stay as healthy as possible.

Lark DPP is a health coach available 24/7 via your smartphone. Lark DPP is fully recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the National Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. The personalized program includes help with weight loss, nutrition, and increasing physical activity through small behavior changes and establishing habits. In addition to offering the CDC curriculum, features of Lark include real-time feedback when you log meals or snacks, tracking of weight, physical activity, and food intake, and insights around diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.

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