Is recommended for them to do at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity throughout the week?

For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines:

  • Aerobic activity. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. To provide even greater health benefit and to assist with weight loss or maintaining weight loss, at least 300 minutes a week is recommended. But even small amounts of physical activity are helpful. Being active for short periods of time throughout the day can add up to provide health benefit.
  • Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Aim to do a single set of each exercise using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

Moderate aerobic exercise includes activities such as brisk walking, biking, swimming and mowing the lawn. Vigorous aerobic exercise includes activities such as running, heavy yard work and aerobic dancing. Strength training can include use of weight machines, your own body weight, heavy bags, resistance tubing or resistance paddles in the water, or activities such as rock climbing.

As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.

Reducing sitting time is important, too. The more hours you sit each day, the higher your risk of metabolic problems. Sitting too much can negatively impact your health and longevity, even if you get the recommended amount of daily physical activity. And some research has found that people who've lost weight may be more likely to keep off the lost weight by sitting less during the day.

Short on long chunks of time? Even brief bouts of activity offer benefits. For instance, if you can't fit in one 30-minute walk during the day, try a few five-minute walks instead. Any activity is better than none at all. What's most important is making regular physical activity part of your lifestyle.

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Sept. 22, 2021

  1. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines. Accessed June 15, 2021.
  2. AskMayoExpert. Physical activity (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
  3. Tips for starting physical activity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/tips-get-active/tips-starting-physical-activity. Accessed June 15, 2021.
  4. Roake J, et al. Sitting time, type, and context among long-term weight-loss maintainers. Obesity. 2021; doi:10.1002/oby.23148.
  5. Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. June 16, 2021.

See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. 10,000 steps
  2. 5K training schedule
  3. Exercise warm-up
  4. Aerobic exercise
  5. Ankle weights for fitness walkers
  6. Barefoot running shoes
  7. Buying athletic shoes? Check your arch
  8. Buying new workout shoes? Get the right fit
  9. Choose the right walking shoes
  10. Do you need to warm up before you exercise?
  11. Exercise: Are you working hard enough?
  12. Exercise for weight loss: Calories burned in 1 hour
  13. Exercise intensity
  14. Exercising? Take it up a notch
  15. Focus on fit when shoe shopping
  16. Walking schedule
  17. How much exercise do you need?
  18. Interval Training
  19. Kids and exercise
  20. Vary your cardiovascular workouts
  21. Exercise and opioids
  22. Aquatic exercises
  23. Step it up with an activity tracker
  24. Time for new walking shoes?
  25. Tired of walking alone? Team up!
  26. Walking for fitness: Overcoming setbacks
  27. Walking for fitness: Staying motivated
  28. Walking for fitness: Warm up, cool down
  29. Walking and trackers
  30. Walking for fitness
  31. Walking with ankle weights? Stop!
  32. Want to get more active? Try an activity tracker
  33. Want to maximize your daily walk?
  34. What's in an athletic shoe?
  35. Whole-body vibration

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Recommendations for Adults Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.
do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week. incorporate a variety of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

What are the vigorous physical activity?

Here are some examples of activities that require vigorous effort:.
Jogging or running..
Swimming laps..
Riding a bike fast or on hills..
Playing singles tennis..
Playing basketball..
Adults (18-64 years) At least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking. At least 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles. Aim for the recommended activity level but be as active as you are able.