Quickie workouts
over-promise, but any exercise better than none
Newswise — A number of popular
fitness plans claim that their quickie workouts will shape you up or
slim you down. The programs themselves vary widely; some are based
in fitness centers, such as Curves or The Blitz, while others are
available only in books. But most studies show that to prevent
disease and weight gain, you need much more exercise than any of
these programs recommend, reports the September issue of the
Harvard Health Letter, from Harvard Medical School.
Furthermore, some of these
“no-sweat” workouts focus solely on strength training, skimping on
aerobic activity and stretching to save time. Aerobic exercise,
which raises your heart rate and improves cardiovascular health, has
proven long-term payoffs. According to the Harvard Health Letter, a
workout routine that doesn’t include aerobic exercise is sorely
lacking.
While these quickie workouts are
shortcuts that most Americans can’t afford to take, the Harvard
Health Letter acknowledges that brief bouts of activity like the
ones promoted by these centers and books may be worthwhile for some.
After all, a little exercise is better than none. Some research
suggests that Americans could avoid weight gain by burning just 100
more calories a day—an extra 15 minutes of walking would do the
trick. The Harvard Health Letter recommends adding these short
bursts of exercise into your day by taking the stairs instead of the
elevator or parking farther away from your destination.
If these programs help a few
people who never exercise get off the couch, they’re serving a
healthful purpose. If you’re in the market, do some comparison
shopping to find a program with a style and intensity level that
suit you.