Weekend-only workouts are as good as a daily routine

Better health is pretty much at the top of most people’s New Year’s resolution lists, and now science has some new motivation to get you moving.

Results from a recent study reveal you can now switch your daily exercise routine for a regular weekend workout, with practically the same benefits.

According to the research, if you’re hitting your exercise targets, in one or two sessions, you’re as likely to the same health and fitness benefits as if you were exercising every day.

The Guardian reports the study carried out on 60,000 adults in England and Scotland showed those who crammed their exercise into weekends experienced almost the same level of health benefits as those who worked out more often.

The study’s author Gary O’Donovan said weekend warriors who hit physical activity targets could not only be as fit as daily exercisers, but could also reduce the impact from other health issues.

“Weekend warriors are people who meet the recommended volume of physical activity each week through only one or two sessions. There are doing a large proportion of vigorous exercise and that makes you fitter than moderate exercise.”

There is a slight catch though because you need to make sure you are reaching the recommended physical activity targets. In New Zealand this is 150 minutes of moderate activity like walking or 75 minutes of more vigorous exercise like running.

Check out this Victoria’s Secret training video for inspiration on how to #Trainlikeanangel

If a daily exercise routine works for you, you’ll be pleased to hear data from the study showed those who exercised daily experienced a 35 per cent lower risk of death compared to those who did little or no exercise. Other good news for regular exercisers included at 41 per cent reduced risk of cardiovascular death and a 21 per cent lower risk of cancer death.

In comparison, weekend warriors have a 30 per cent lower risk of death, 40 per cent reduced risk of cardiovascular death, and 18 per cent less risk of cancer.

Work in a long walk along with Saturday morning’s coffee catch-up, and you’ll be more than halfway there!