How Long Should You Spend on Cardio? We Asked Trainers
Maybe You're a Die-Hard Runner, or Perhaps Boxing Is Your Activity of Choice. Either Way, You're No Stranger to Getting Your Heart Pumping and Sweat Pouring. Cardio Exercise Can Do Everything from Building Endurance to Boosting Your Mood. but You Might Be Wondering Just How Long You Should Spend on Cardio to Reap Those Benefits and Achieve Your Fitness Goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Cardio?
While Cardio Might Conjure up the Image of a Runner Hitting the Pavement for Miles, All Sorts of Activities Fall Under the Cardio Bucket, Says Sam Goss, a Nasm-Certified Personal Trainer. When You Picture Cardio, Think Any Exercise That Drives Your Heart Rate Up. and What Gets Your Heart Pumping Can Vary Based on Your Fitness Level, Age, and More, Adds Jenny Leigh, an Instructor at Cure. Fit. It Doesn't Have to Leave You Breathless (Though That Works, Too): Walking, Biking, Dancing, Even Going up and Down the Stairs Are Just a Few in a Long List of Cardio Exercises You Can Try, So Pick the Activity That You Love Most, She Suggests. "I Am a Really Big Advocate of Moving Your Body in Whatever Capacity You Can Whenever You Can," Says Leigh. "Having a Healthy Relationship with Cardio Makes It Easier to Bust a Move on the Dance Floor, Keep up with Your Kids When They Are Ready to Play, and Chase Your Energetic Puppy."
Benefits of Cardio
Getting Your Heart Rate up on the Regular Can Benefit Everything from Endurance to Bone Health, Says Goss. Here Are Some of the Ways Cardio Can Help Your Body and Mind.
How Long Should You Spend on Cardio?
How Long You Spend on Cardio Depends on Your Fitness Level and Goals, Says Countryman. as a Baseline, Leigh Recommends Doing 30 Minutes of Cardio About Five Days a Week, or 150 Minutes a Week Total. but Exercising for Longer or Shorter Than That May Be Better for You Based on What You're Trying to Accomplish, She Notes.
