WHAT IT CAN BE DO FOR YOUR HEALTH

 

Will transitioning your workout to a heated environment help you reach your fitness goals faster? Should you train at midday instead of mid-morning this summer to maximize the high temps and amp up the sweat factor? To find out, we chatted with Jessica Matthews, exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. She reveals whether or not a sweat-soaked shirt means you actually burned more calories -- and discusses how to complete hot workouts safely.

How Much Time Should I Devote to Exercise Per Week?

According to the Mayo clinic, everyone should aim for roughly 3-5 hours of exercise per week with a mixture of (wait for it) aerobic activity and strength training. If you’re just starting out, aim for the lower end of this recommendation and slowly build your way up if you’d like. 3 hours per week should be thought of as the minimum for everyone and 5hrs+ should be your ultimate goal you work up to. As you progress you can add more cardio to your rest days or do it after your strength training. Some prefer to substitute cardio for strength training. That’s totally fine so long as you are doing both and are aware of how it will sculpt your body for your goals.


What Kind of Strength Training Should I Do?

Resistance training can be anything from lifting weights, Cross fit, Pilates, TRX etc. I personally believe lifting weights is the safest and most efficient of all resistance methods. Resistance training is super beneficial for everyone and something I notice many women avoid as they worry about the aesthetics of getting “too muscular.” This fear often stems from husbands and boyfriends warning their women not to build too much muscle because they think they find that look unattractive.