Is 1 mile the same as 4 quarters of a mile?

P

popofovich

0
Hi, I am new here. Not a sportsguy at all, but I started light exercise on a treadmill to control my weight, which increases as I approach 50.

So here is my basic question. If I walk 1 mile on my treadmill, partly uphill, I end up sweaty and puffing and, over several days, overtired. But if I walk 1/4 mile at a time, 4 times a day, I am as fresh as before.

Is exercise in small doses equivalent to a large chunk of exercise? Do I need to sweat to get the benefit of my treadmill walk?
 
yes, it actually is ... as long as you get your heart going. this has been said to take about 10 minutes ... so, 6x10m does = 60m ... but, the benefits of simply walking those 10 minutes and not getting the heart going is very close to not doing anything at all.
 
popofovich said:
Is exercise in small doses equivalent to a large chunk of exercise? Do I need to sweat to get the benefit of my treadmill walk?
Click to expand...

I think this first question is one of some controversy. The conventional wisdom for decades has been you need at least 20 minutes, preferably 30 minutes of continuous effort. But, recently, agencies as well respected as the US CDC take the approach that cumulative efforts are just as good. .

As for the second question, don't go by sweat rate; go by your heart rate or as you become more experienced your Rate of Perceived Exertion. Determine your heart rate either using the treadmill or with a chest heart rate monitor. Your heart rate should be in the 50-85% of your maximum heart rate. Use 220-your age (50) as an estimate of your max. heart rate. So, as long as you are in the range, starting at the lower end and later working up to the higher end, you will be okay. So, stay at least at 85 but try to stay at over 120 (70%) if you can.

BTW, I am almost 50 as well (48 actually), have a resting heart rate of 53, ride 100+ miles / week on a bike, run 10+ miles/week and swim over 2000m / week. I was not able to do any of those tasks a year ago and had to build up to them and will surpass those levels shortly.

Exercise and training are a cumulative, lifelong process.
 
It may be the same number of calories burned, but I would imagine the heart benefit is better with the continuous exercise
 
Wow, I didn't realize that my entry in the exercise world will be with such a controversial and mathematical question. For now, I understand that

- I should use the treadmill rather 1/3 mile at a time instead of 1/4 mile

- I should obviously walk more than 1/3 mile per day

- I should figure out what is my heart rate

Thanks for the advice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top