The Workout Time Fallacy

Jan 30, 2008 15:06

Often, when someone tells you that something will take XX:XX time, they neglect to factor in all kinds of things. This applies in particular to working out; more often than not people are focused on the length of the workout: "Just 15 minutes every day!" or "Just 30 minutes 5 days a week!" or what have you. But this is actually lies.

Every second counts. )

time, health

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Comments 57

ex_midwinte January 30 2008, 20:14:05 UTC
You know, I have a treadmill at home and 30 min is still "really" 45 min for various reasons. The 30 min workout is a myth!

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snidegrrl January 30 2008, 20:20:03 UTC
If I had a spot for a treadmill, I think I would be trolling craigslist for those!

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peregrin8 January 30 2008, 20:14:47 UTC
Drum practice is exercise, isn't it?

I don't really work out in the sweaty way you describe (I walk to work or do yoga) but I can sympathize. Actually I often wear the nicer yoga clothes to work. But some weeks I don't understand how one can be expected to work a full-time job and do ANYTHING else at all.

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snidegrrl January 30 2008, 20:21:37 UTC
Drum practice is kind of exercise, but mostly not. I need cardio and strength and... well, I want to work out intensely. Not to dismiss yoga; I like yoga and find it really helps.

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peregrin8 January 30 2008, 20:25:48 UTC
Do you need them every day, though? I have heard recommendations to strength-train only on alternate days, or at least to alternate muscle groups. One way to improve the workout/time ratio is to do a longer workout less often.

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snidegrrl January 31 2008, 03:22:12 UTC
Oh, I don't know. Whatever I want to do I want it to be a real workout, I hate using that word real, but it is what first comes to mind. My drum practice largely consists of drills and that's minimal movement.

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oontzgrrl January 30 2008, 20:15:01 UTC
This is why I joined a gym that is open 24 hours. I'm not saying I actually go to it. But I could! 24 hours a day!

Sigh...

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snidegrrl January 30 2008, 20:22:58 UTC
Oh, Lifetime Fitness. You are too far away. Imagine if that calculation above included a 20-25 minute drive both ways! Ugh! Also: I haven't done a cost comparison but, dang have I heard horror stories.

You should go today! ;)

I'll have to call you soon and tell you about my nervous breakdown last night.

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oontzgrrl January 30 2008, 20:41:14 UTC
They do cost a lot but I really like the gym so I guess it's worth it? Ya know. When I go. Sigh...

Oooh. Call me! We should do lunch. Brunch. Whatever. :)

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snidegrrl January 31 2008, 03:22:52 UTC
Yes. When I can do brunch I will let you know!

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(The comment has been removed)

snidegrrl January 31 2008, 03:24:12 UTC
Ha! I know the feeling.

This video sums it up:

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omphaloskepsis January 31 2008, 05:26:37 UTC
Nice!

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maroonmd January 30 2008, 20:30:23 UTC
I have a treadmill at home, and I love it. Besides getting dressed to work out, it takes much less time. I workout after work/in the evening sometime, which is when I take a shower anyway. 2 birds, yadda, yadda.

Any reason you're so against getting equipment for your home? For me, going to the gym or running outside took much more drive than getting myself into a routine at home. Either way you have to really want it, but add driving or weather to the equation and it was much easier to talk myself out of it. & If I schedule it around my daily shower... time is much less of an issue.

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angela_la_la January 30 2008, 21:29:44 UTC
Not to mention that you (Kim, that is) could integrate hobbies like watching TV or listening to music along with the treadmill. Maybe if you traded in your Giant Guest Bed for a futon you could put it in there? Or is that room too easy to ignore? Your basement isn't too awful, IIRC, and you could just hang a cheap TV from the ceiling beams.

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snidegrrl January 31 2008, 13:15:28 UTC
Unfortunately, the Giant Guest Bed is a family heirloom and when I last mentioned getting rid of it to my parents, there was alot of frowning and shuffling of feet. But I think that room, given a letting go of my neuroses, would be the best candidate for a treadmill or elliptical, and it is already where I do my back stretches and exercises.

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snidegrrl January 31 2008, 03:25:11 UTC
I am not against it, I just don't have a good space for it. There's the spare room, but there is a whole entire psychosis going on about why I can't put it there. Wish I could.

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