According to AHA recommendations, how much exercise should adults aim for weekly?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week to achieve substantial health benefits. This recommendation is based on extensive research indicating that such a level of physical activity is effective in reducing the risk of various chronic diseases, managing weight, and improving mental health.

Moderate-intensity exercise might include activities such as brisk walking, cycling on a flat surface, or gardening, where you are working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat but can still talk. Alternatively, adults can also aim for 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, such as running or swimming laps, but the recommendation of 150 minutes strikes a balance for most individuals, promoting sufficient cardiovascular health and overall fitness without being overly burdensome.

Achieving 150 minutes can be broken down into manageable segments throughout the week, such as 30 minutes a day, five days a week, making it accessible for most people. This approach emphasizes the importance of consistency and incorporating exercise as a regular part of one’s lifestyle for better long-term health outcomes.