Multiple short workouts vs. Long one

[ricky_rock]

I like to try and get 90 minutes per day in walking/running on the treadmill to get in shape/lose weight. But I prefer shorter workouts to longer ones.

I've been breaking my workouts into three sessions per day. My thought is that it's less boring and I do one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening/night. I do the same total distance/speed whether I do one long one or three short ones.

Does doing 3, 35 minute workouts (5 minute of warm ups) have the same effect as doing one 90 minute workout ?

[Cort]

Thats a lot of cardio, do you actually run for the entire 90 minutes 6-7 days a week?

The effect would be slightly different, you'd burn the same amount of calories, but if you cut it into 3 workouts rather than one, more of those are coming directly from energy you stored from food.

However, you don't need to run 90 minutes, one 35 minute run 6 days a week is more than enough (heck man I go 3 days, used to go 5-6 but I lost too much weight like that,) if you are keeping the intensity high enough.

Since you're trying to get into overall better shape, I'd also recommend picking up a weight training program. Cardio alone wont really do the job.

[ricky_rock]

Originally Posted by Cort

Thats a lot of cardio, do you actually run for the entire 90 minutes 6-7 days a week?

I don't run the entire time, I walk some too, but yes I do it 6-7 days a week. Trying to lose weight and get in overall better shape.

I'm starting weights soon. Got a bench on order. I'm going to do weights 3 days a week for 30 minutes I think.

Thanks for the reply.

[thecorple]

ricky rock, if im not mistaken, did i see you at worldfitness.com?

[abarlament]

I believe splitting up up does lead to better partitioning of calories.

[ih8guitars]

ive found long workouts are a problem as it works off the calories of one meal rather than working off the calories of all your meals

[Cort]

Originally Posted by ih8guitars

ive found long workouts are a problem as it works off the calories of one meal rather than working off the calories of all your meals

However shorter workouts are burning mostly calories from the food you've eaten rather than from other sources (such as fat.)

Then again, with multiple shorter workouts you have an almost constant boost to your metabolism throughout the day.

Both methods have their own benefits, some people like to knock it all out in one session, for others its easier to break up.