Is 30 mins of exercise enough?

Question

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

It absolutely can be, depending on what you are doing. The photo above is when I see many, many people doing at the gym, in one form or another, and that's not going to be enough.

Also, depends on your goals. If you are just trying to maintain a minimum fitness level, just a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood once a day is a great thing to do for your health. But it won't make you into a star athlete.

If you're looking to be in the upper echelons of athleticism, 30 minutes/day is cutting it pretty thin, and I think you'll need excellent genetics to be able to say you are even approaching top level fitness. However, it's not completely untenable. You definitely won't be in any major league sports, or an Olympic hopeful.

@ 30 minutes/day, you are going to have to go hard. I also don't think you are going to need a rest day with only 30 minutes. Some sample 30 minute workouts that I think would make the grade:

Hike: Fast hike up a mountain. I actually do a regular hike that takes about 30 minutes to do just under 2 miles up about 1,000 feet. I do it with a pack weighing about 25 lb. I can increase the pace or the weight to make the hike more intense. Usually at the top my heart rate is well into my target zone (above 150 bpm) and has presumably been there a majority of the way. I should add that's just 30 minutes to the TOP of the mountain. I usually walk leisurely back down and it takes about 35-45 minutes, so the whole activity takes over an hour. You could do an intense 30 minutes on a stair master with a weight vest and achieve a similar result. Just without the awesome view at the end.

Run: If you can do a 6 minute mile... how about a 30 minute, 4 mile run? I don't run usually, since I don't like the way my joints feel afterward, but many people enjoy it. I think a 7.5 minute mile for 4 miles seems respectable and at least a good place to start. You could also do a series of sprints, with SHORT breaks in between. The key is to elevate your heart rate, and keep it high. If you are just doing 30 minutes, take your break when you are done, not in the middle of the 30 minutes.

HIIT: Make a series of stations such as jump rope, burpees, kettlebell swings, tire flips, pushups, Turkish get ups, etc. Rotate each one 45-60 seconds, and go from one to the next. One set up might look like: 5 stations, 55 seconds at each, with 5 second break to get to the next station. Do 2 full rotations, take a 45 second water break, then 2 full rotations and another 45 second water break before your last 2 rotations.

Okay so that's three 30 minute workouts. You could also do some sport (martial arts for 30 minutes of sparring would be quite intense, if you can find anyone to spar that long with you, perhaps even multiple people? 30 minutes of shuffleboard, not so much.), weightlifting, or even the right yoga stances could meet an intensity need. The point being that you can't be doing 30 minutes of low intensity exercise and expect significant results. You get out of it what you put into it, regardless of if you spend 2 hours or 20 minutes.

Referencing back to the top photo, I definitely get more out of some of my 30 minute workouts than other people do out of spending 2 hours at the gym.

Sonorous · Accepted Answer

Depends on the intensity of the training relative to someone's goals.

For instance, walking for 30 minutes might not be enough exercise for a female with a slow metabolism that eats 4,000 calories a day to lose weight. But it would be enough for a kid with a fast metabolism that eats a healthy amount each day.

hhadeshatesme · Accepted Answer

if you’re just starting out yeah I’d say that’s a decent amount of time. Regardless of speed. You can always increase the time and/or intensify your workouts later on. Setting your goals too high too soon is why most people don’t stick to working out.

melanieeeB · Accepted Answer

Yeah of course, it's more important that you do it on a constant base... like 30 min every second day and after awhile you will see results🙏🏼

When I was like 16 I did 15 min 6/7 days and that was fine too you know

Massageman · Answer

A plan to maintain  reasonably  good condition  could  be planned to fit in a 30 minute timeframe, 6 days a week. A 45 minute routine , 4 days of week would probably improve conditioning, and take the same amount of time.

Apulu_3 · Answer

It doesn't depends on time. You should exercise till you start sweating, Different body have different times to exercise so it doesn't have to be 30 mins. You should stop doing exercise after you start sweating, slowly slowly the time period for sweat to come will increase.

kyleelyn199723 · Answer

As long as it’s exercise that is actually vigorous and not something like walking. Doing that 2-3 days a week will help someone maintain or lose weight depending on the work outs. But people also mistake the amount of time you should be working out. If you plan on going to the gym , you will probably see people there for 2-3 hours and that is not the correct way to be working out. You should be working out no more than an hour at a time to see actual results

TheorionMage · Answer

Depends upon 'what' and 'how' ... in extreme it CAN be,
but there's NO 'free lunch'
WHAT you expend come out of stored reserves and
if not from stamina, then you've dug a lactase hole from which you must fill in.
Its dissolving those toxic lactase crystals from your muscle fibers that you feel aching.

SenseiSeptred · Answer

It will help, but I would say at least 2 hours a day per different type of exercise with 3 options would be much more palatable to do if you have a competitive side to you however you would be able to fit that into your day.

However, remember the 80 percent diet, 10 percent exercise, 10 percent restful period is what you would need to be quite strong.

prakhindev92 · Answer

When you try a circuit consist of different workouts , it usually takes 45 minutes (for me at least) , and later after sometime if you can do the same circuit in 30 mins , you need to increase the reps or sets or numbers or weight , its a sign you are getting better and go harder and time to move on

RedStiletto88 · Answer

30 minutes of actual physical exercise every day or other day will definitely go much farther for you health wise than absolutely no exercise, and your body will thank you for it not just physically but mentally too.

Avcfhcic · Answer

If you are doing it regularly then yes. Ideally it's a few hours of exercise a week.
If you do 30 minutes a few days a week then it's good, just keep consistent.
Depends on what your goals are and you work towards them

Kayla45 · Answer

30 minutes everyday certain does help the. body, however I'd recommend jogging or something similar too, basic workouts throughout the day can help with various things in your body, like muscles for example.

Datboi65 · Answer

That depends on your goals. Do you want to build muscle? Lose fat? Or do you want to maintain what you already have? I would say it's better to do an hour workout, at least 3 times a week.

oddwaffle · Answer

If you do it right then you only need like 15. A 15min that consists of only max sprinting can probably shoot your metabolism to the roof.

DonkeyDan · Answer

30 minutes of increased heart rate around 120bpm, per day is a good way to keep your heart healthy and can aid in weight loss and general fitness.

JDAC2209199 · Answer

I'd say it depends tbh but if it's consistent you'll see results eventually based on nutrition the exercise and your genes

Flower7 · Answer

Yes, that sounds fine. And it’s definitely better than nothing! That’s the best way to think about it.

Dinklex3 · Answer

As long as you're staying active and moving around, I'd say yes. Depends on the person and what their diet looks like

TwinkleLily5 · Answer

Yes if you are just starting. It’s also enough if for keeping active if you are doing it at least 3x a week

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

It's enough for others.  It's not enough for me.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I was told by a Christian gym instructor he even recommended a 15-minute walking program when I was really heavy in Highschool so in my opinion 30 minutes is sufficient for you

TexasRed95 · Answer

30 minutes is better than no minutes. If you do high reps and swap the workout to fit many muscle groups you can definitely get a good bit done. Just always have good posture and do the workout properly.

sheikalana · Answer

If it's an intense workout it should be enough. Also 30 min is better than no exercise at all.

MelonSoda · Answer

If you're doing a 30 minute workout at least 3-5 days a week, I think it's enough.

erin_ireland · Answer

If it's cardio, yes, if it's slow paced like stretching or Yoga you kinda need one hr

JosyJosy · Answer

It's definitely good, but it has to be intense, not something halfassed. Spend them 30 minutes wisely. I prefer 1 hour

FitCarmen · Answer

If you do it right then yes. Not for me though. My routines take up almost 3 hours a day.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

Each day? For me of course. Younger folks may need a little more.

dustybiker · Answer

If you are already fit. You could squeeze enough into that timeframe to maintain for a short time.

TsAubreyKate · Answer

Yes it’s more than enough actually I have a lot of free time so I work out anywhere from an hour to 2 hours but I split them through out the day to eat or nap in between 30 is plenty make sure you eat stay hydrated and get plenty of rest

newboy78 · Answer

Yup with the right kind of workout and a stable diet, 30 mins a day is good enough

RobieMon · Answer

I’ll say yes, I usually train 2 Hrs but something is better than nothing

exitseven · Answer

An hour would be better but it s better than nothing. Just make sure you raise your heartrate.

SAMI_DABBAB · Answer

Absolutely, I think it's solid if you can be consistent

SupremeWarlord · Answer

Yes, and even if you only spent 5 minutes, that's still better than zero.

JaneDoe455320 · Answer

The human body requires a minimum of 3 hours of exercise a week. If you work out for 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week it is enough.

TheAfrikan · Answer

30 mins of working out is okay, as long as you do know what you are doing and depending on your body goals @736_switch_blade though for me I go for 2hrs 5 days a week.

Commander_Red · Answer

Yes if you do it mostly every day and combine a good diet.

moonpie89 · Answer

It's better than nothing. If you have only 30 minutes, try a high intensity workout

jamesgoldman · Answer

Sure everyday Not if you mean weekly or less frequently

gabbyduh · Answer

Yea , and you may improve , Bec when you do the thing more and more it will get easier so you would exercise for a lot of time and u are not that exhausted.

TheBigGuy9 · Answer

If you rest 30-60 seconds between sets and keep your heart rate up, then yes.

Babygirl_S · Answer

Depends on your body type and metabolism. It is enough for me to maintain my body shape and weight.

CaptainLegal · Answer

Depending on the exercise and your goal, if you want to stay fit yeah around 30 minutes it's ok

chilldude33 · Answer

enough to participate in olympics? no enough to feel better compared to no exercise? yes

whosnumber1 · Answer

if that's all you can afford then yes. do it vigorously

XxGamerDudexXPlayz · Answer

Yes anymore would just make your body sore, in my opinion

Twalli · Answer

Depends on how much you eat. 60 is generally better.

admles · Answer

As long as you're training hard, intense, yes it's plenty.

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on what kind of exercise and what the goal is.

CanineAcronym · Answer

It's more then most people do in a week

Ninani · Answer

Enough for what? What's your goal?

Ironic_Method · Answer

Certainly better than 0.

awkward_author · Answer

I've heard it's fine.

es20490446e · Answer

of running after my ass, yes.

boobliker · Answer

a day or a week or even a month?

Staximus · Answer

If it's intense exercise

donnny2367764 · Answer

No. 30 mins is Barry enough to warm up

Jintendo18 · Answer

It’s more than enough if you’re doing it right.

blondfrog · Answer

yeah If you go high paced.

ashish804 · Answer

depends on how rigorous u r doing it

EaterPeter · Answer

@736_switch_blade absolutely

Charliefretz329 · Answer

It’s better than zero

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