RACE AGAINST TIME
It’s all about working smarter, not longer, in order to get the most out of your training time
Words Louise Pyne
A new study has found that getting your workout fix on the weekends instead of interspersing throughout the week is equally effective
Most of us wish we had more time to dedicate to running. If you’re training for a marathon or even your first 10K, there’s no doubt you’ll want to clock up the miles and make sure you’re completely prepared for race day.
However, building a good training plan isn’t necessarily about working harder, and if your busy lifestyle means you’re struggling to cram in sessions during the week, you’ll be pleased to know that a new study has found that getting your workout fix on the weekends instead of interspersing training throughout the week is equally as effective.
Researchers from Jiangnan University in China analysed data from over 350,000 people in the US. They separated those who hit the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, into two groups. The first group aced their weekly targets in just one or two sessions, while the other active group reached them in three or more workouts.
The results showed that, regardless of whether the exercise sessions were spread throughout the week or concentrated in a weekend, the health benefits were the same.
So, if you don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to training during the working week but are willing to keep your training sessions to the weekends, you’ll still reap the same health rewards With this new research in mind, we’re here to show you how to make the most of your time when you’re training, no matter when you choose to do it.