Illustrated by Austin Watts.We don't need to tell you that not every fitness trend or new workout class is actually valuable. (Cough, cough Horse Riding Fitness Ace Power.) But, one thing that is for sure is the amount of exercise you need to log each week to maintain a healthy heart.
Almost every major organization — including the American Heart Association, World Health Organization, CDC, and American College of Sports Medicine — notes that 150 is the number to know. Adults should log at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise) per week — which equates to five 30-minute jogs or roughly 19 high-intensity, 4-minute Tabata workouts.
For optimal health, the ACSM recommends including two to three strength-training, flexibility, and neuromotor sessions on a weekly basis. (Here’s the best way to schedule your workout.)
If you’re training for a specific goal — such as running a half-marathon, losing or gaining weight, or building muscle — the weekly exercise formula will change slightly. But, for baseline cardiovascular health, think 150.