Why Your Workout May Be Less Effective Than You Think

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If you’ve scoffed at those cheesy workout infomercials that say “just 15 minutes a day” is enough, a new study from Queen’s University might change your mind. The discovery suggests that shorter, more intense workouts are better for you than longer, moderate sessions. The difference is the intensity. People who engage in vigorous exercise (something that gets the heart rate up) were two-thirds less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome than those who employ moderate exercise, such as walking at a leisure pace. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that generally suggest someone is badly out of shape, such as excess weight around the waist, high blood pressure and uncontrollable blood sugar levels. Researchers examined 1,841 people and found that 75 minutes of spirited exercise per week had more benefits than 150 minutes of moderate exercise, as the latter group was 2.4 times more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome. The study also found that 70% of people don’t like doing intense exercise, and less than 20% even met the guidelines for it. Even so, the lesson learned here is that shorter, more intense training is better for your health than longer, leisurely workouts Continue Reading

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