What's Better: Longer Workouts or Shorter Consistent Workouts?
What's the best way to fit exercise into your schedule? Fewer, longer workouts or shorter more frequent workouts? Most of us want to work out more, but we all have our reasons for why we don´t do so, and the question often posed is: Which is better? Shorter, consistent workouts, or longer, but less frequent workouts?
Obviously both are important success and motivational factors, and that´s why we built Starters so you could both compete for consistency and time against your team of friends.
I’ve been working out for over 25 years on regular basis, and I was a 5 time Icelandic national judo champion as a teenager, and my hope was to go to the Olympics in 2000. To try and get there, I had to practice huge hours and with great consistency.
My life has changed a great deal since then. I no longer practice to compete – I practice to stay healthy and happy. If you were to ask me which one is more important, consistency or time spent exercising, I will give you a definite answer – just keep reading :)
Let´s look at the cons/pros of short consistent workouts vs. longer but less frequent workouts:
You feel better more often. Exercising is a stress reliever for most people and it produces endorphins that makes you feel good, so the more often you exercise, the more often you’ll get those benefits.
When you do things frequently, it automatically becomes part of your daily routine. It’s easier to get into a set routine because every time you take a break, you generally need to put more effort into it, especially when it comes to exercising.
Exercising speeds up your metabolism every time you do it.
You pick up a momentum. When you gain momentum, you feel the need do more, be better, and it makes you feel more confident.
It’s more convenient to fit shorter workouts into your day, as it doesn’t require a huge chunk of your day. That leads to less cancelled workouts and/or a hurried day where you’re desperately trying to squeeze everything in.
You might burn fewer calories. Might, because it depends on the activity you do, and the intensity with which you do it, but generally if you go for a brisk walk for 10 minutes, you’ll burn fewer calories than 60 minutes.
You have to get up to work out more often; it takes effort and it´s hard to get started because it takes time away from other things that require less physical effort.
(screenshot of my consistency - need to work a little harder to reach my 80% goal)
You might burn more calories. Again, it depends on the activity you do and the intensity with which you do it, but this will generally hold true.
Quality time for body to warm up and practice techniques (if applicable) and various methods.
More “me” time. Workouts are a great time for you to reflect away from your daily tasks.
When you exercise for a long time you are increasing the chance of injuries, especially if you don’t frequently exercise. At those times, your body is more likely to fail you.
It’s hard to schedule a big chunk of time in your busy day to work out.
It can take up a lot of time, especially away from family and friends
(My total minutes last week - compared to my teammates who keep me on the toes)
I go for consistency, because I think it leads to success more often than “binging and purging” on exercise.
If you are a busy person, consistency is the answer, but do try to squeeze in one “time-focused” exercise on the weekend. And If you have time, obviously do both – spend time and be consistent at least 3 – 5 times a week.
Your lifestyle is a choice. I choose to do shorter exercises on a regular basis to feel better and live longer, knowing that a little bit every day can change my life.
Either way, just get started.
