When it comes to living longer, \u201cweekend warriors\u201d may be onto something, according to a new study. When researchers reviewed the physical activity patterns of more than 350,000 people, they found that those who worked out once or twice a week had the same reduced risk of early death from illnesses, like heart disease and cancer, as people who exercised more often.<\/p>\n
If that seems counterintuitive, consider this: \u201cThe total amount of time expended seems to\u00a0 be more important than when the exercise is done,\u201d says Edward Giovannucci, MD, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a co-author of the study. \u201cFor example, doing one-and-a-half hours on each weekend day, for a total of three hours overall, is about as good as doing a half-hour on six days.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re a weekend warrior\u2014or want to become one\u2014here\u2019s what you need to know about weekend-only exercise.<\/p>\n
Weekends might be better for your schedule. <\/strong>If you struggle to work out during the week, you\u2019re hardly alone. Only 24 percent of us actually meet physical activity recommendations, according to the CDC. It\u2019s understandable. Life is hectic. Between work, home, family, and having a social life, it can be hard to hit the gym or the track most weekdays. But what if you could play catch up on the weekend with, say, a Saturday afternoon hike and a long bike ride Sunday morning? Then, you could easily reach the weekly 150 minutes of moderate (or 75 minutes of vigorous) aerobic exercise that health experts recommend.<\/p>\n Exercise isn\u2019t just about longevity. <\/strong>While weekend workouts might help you live longer, they may not provide some of the other perks of more frequent activity. Take emotional wellbeing, for example. \u201cMentally, many people find exercise to be a form of stress management,\u201d says Christopher Gagliardi, MS, CPT, scientific education content manager for the American Council on Exercise. So, if you trade your regular post-work jogs for a couple of longer runs on the weekend, you might lose that daily mood boost.\u00a0<\/p>\n Regular activity does lots of other good things for your body that aren\u2019t as obvious, says Gagliardi. Whether it\u2019s a leisurely walk or a hardcore spin class, exercising can help lower your blood pressure and resting heart rate. And because your muscles rely on glucose for fuel, frequent workouts also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s fitness. <\/strong>Depending on your goals, weekend workouts might not always be practical. \u201cIf you can devote two hours per week for exercise, it\u2019s okay if that\u2019s over the weekend or spread out during the week,\u201d says Giovannucci. \u201cBut if you want to do more, say seven hours a week, it may not be advisable or feasible to do it all in one or two days.\u201d On the flip side, if you\u2019re just starting out, spending several hours at the gym or on the trail could be more than your body is ready for.\u00a0<\/p>\n No matter what your fitness level is, injury is also a real concern. \u201cThe longer the bout of exercise, the more repetition there is without recovery, which may increase your risk of developing an injury,\u201d says Gagliardi. \u201cSo, know your limits and pay attention to the way you are feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n Are weekend workouts right for you? \u201cOur results should not be interpreted as indicating that being a weekend warrior is optimal,\u201d says Giovannucci. \u201cI still believe it\u2019s better to do more on more days, if possible, but the key message is that almost anything is better than nothing.\u201d So, if a couple of weekend runs, hikes, or bike rides work for you, go for it. But if you can also squeeze in a few shorter sessions during the week, even better.<\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, is a nutrition consultant, journalist, and author specializing in nutrition, health, and wellness. Her latest book is Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RDN\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
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