It can be tough to figure out how often one should be working out, especially if they’re new to fitness.
Many people give up on their fitness goals because they feel like they’re working out too much or not enough. No wonder why — there are a lot of conflicting opinions out there about how often people should work out!
We believe that listening to your body is the best way to find what works for you. Everyone is different and will respond differently to various types of exercise. However, some general guidelines can help you determine how often you should be working out.
Read this guide to learn how many days a week you should be working out, depending on your fitness level.
How Often Should I Work Out If I’m Starting Out?
It’s best to ease into things. You don’t want to overdo it and get injured or burn yourself out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that beginners workout three times a week. This will give your body time to adjust and get used to working out. You can gradually increase the number of days you work out once you’ve built up some endurance.
As a beginner, it’s essential to be as consistent as possible with your workouts. This will help you stay motivated and on track. Scheduling it on the same days will help ensure that you make time for it.
When you’re starting out, it’s best to focus on moderate-intensity exercises. These exercises get your heart rate up but aren’t so strenuous that you can’t hold a conversation while doing them. This will help you avoid injury and burnout.
How Often Should I Work Out If I’m Already Active?
If you’re already active and have been working out regularly, you should continue to do so! However, you don’t want to overwork your body. You should only add a day or two to your workout schedule. For example, if you’re already working out three or four times a week, increase your number of workouts to four or five.
It’s also important to ensure that you have at least two rest days between each workout. Rest days are essential for your body to recover and rebuild. Without them, you may end up feeling exhausted and burnt out. You can also incorporate yoga or stretching into your rest days to relax and de-stress.
If you’re already active, try increasing the intensity of your workouts. A HIIT workout, for example, will get your heart rate up much more than a moderate-intensity exercise. Just be sure to take plenty of rest days, so your body can recover.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out how many days a week we should work out can be tricky, but it’s doable with a little bit of research.
Listening to your body and following the general guidelines in this article will help you find the proper workout routine! Remember to start slow if you’re just starting, and gradually increase the number of days you work out. Most importantly — have fun with it!