Cardio workouts
 

My gym says we should get cardio exercise at least three and preferably five times a week for 30-45 minutes. I have heard this elsewhere and they don't get any more money if people come more often, so I'm guessing this is "the word"

But I don't manage that (or at least I didn't), and I'm a "SAHM" -1-2 times/week was more the norm for me. And I tested as "fit" today. My friends don't exercise anything like as much as me (they don't eat and drink as much either). Are they destined to face a decrepit old age? or are these guidelines bullshit sponsored by Nike etc? Let's assume I don't need to lose weight and am fit -why do I need to exercise so much? because I'm pretty sure most of the population doesn't and yet the average lifespan is still increasing.

Hoisting my fat ass off the couch to go make a sandwich counts as cardio, right?

Does it increase your heart rate by about 75% for a minimum of 30 mins?

If I do it wrong, yeah.

then you're good.

Never.
But I walk two miles a day, which is approx 20 mins there, 20 mins back, five days a week.
And Mum & I do another 20 mins exercise five evenings a week, which don't necessarily corrrespond to the walking days.

I do understand the idea that if it's under 30 minutes the heart doesn't get the same workout, but I'm reasonably happy with my fitness at present.

Just can't say the same about my weight.

I try to do it at least twice a week. Fencing, mountain biking, and xc skiing all qualify.

I schedule 3x per week, but too often something more urgent interferes.

I learned a long time ago that once a week puts more stress on your heart, because every time you do it, it's like starting over. Twice a week keeps you where you currently are. 3-4 times improves you. 5 -7 increases the likelihood of injury beyond the benefit.

YMMV, and this information could be outdated.

Every day. Aren't I good!

I'm under instructions to do a minimum of thirty minutes at least five times a week (I can break up the thirty minutes but the blocks must be of at least 10 minutes). I try to do a straight hour each day but with the often physical stuff I have to do during the day I sometimes struggle to manage the full sixty minutes.

I had to honestly vote Never. Not completely true, because I swim for 5 minutes or so at a time a couple times a week in the summer. That gets my heart rate up to about 500%. I really have bad form and I'm seriously over exerting myself when I swim.

But I do walk briskly a lot every day. I don't check my pulse but I bet it gets my heart rate up by about 40%-50% or so. And I do that for about 40 minutes each day, 5 days a week. I feel and look pretty fit.

I think I should exercise more, but I don't know when I would do that. The only time I have is lunch time at work, but I don't want the hassle of having to bring clothes and a towel to work to shower. My arteries would probably thank me though. That's why we should all exercise more. It's our arteries. :right:

Lift weights on Monday (45 mins)
Zumba class on Tuesday (60 mins)
Lift weights on Wednesday (45 mins)
Zumba class on Thursday (60 mins)
Lift weights on Friday (30 mins)
Rest day on Saturday (really yard and house work)
Kickboxing on Sunday (75 mins)

I've been doing this schedule for 2 months now. I am seeing HUGE changes to my endurance and physical condition.

I voted 3-4 on the poll, as weight lifting does not count as cardio, even though I run a mile to warm up.

i used to do 3 times per week. i have been SO lax lately. only got to the gym once this month. must rectify.

Just starting out, so I didn't vote in the poll. Last week was 5 days of cardio and this week I only have one day so far. I want to do 5 days with half cardio and half strength training.

That's 40 minutes cardio 5 days a week then, Glatt.
Brisk walking is cardio.

Doesn't feel like cardio. I don't break a sweat. Unless it's August.