Is moderate or vigorous exercise better?

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Oct 11th 2007 1:46PM

Categories: Fitness

The debate rages on with friends of mine on whether moderate exercise or rigorous exercise is better for the body. While the circumstances of health change for every person, we're all trying to find that magic formula that weaves time availability with regular exercise these days.

A recent study shows that a majority of men (56%) and women (71%) believe moderate exercise to be better than rigorous exercise, although that perception can be argued vigorously itself. Due to time crunches, many folks I know do intense exercise for only 15 minutes per day -- and they believe that it's just as effective as an hour of walking on the treadmill.

How about you? Do you feel better taking your time to exercise moderately (walking, etc.) instead of high-energy exercise like jogging or racquetball?

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Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Elizabeth 10-11-2007 @ 2:38PM

I personally think vigorous exercise works better than moderate low intensity exercise when you are trying to increase muscle and strength. You will be a lot more fit. You also get a much more effective workout in a shorter period of time. When I do an hour of moderate exercise, I still do not feel as tired or feel like I've even 'worked out' as when I do twenty-five minute high intensity interval training. You can really feel the difference.

Of course, bottom line is, exercise whenever and however you can and you're fine. If you're trying for weight loss, I think your diet (food intake) is SO MUCH more important than how many calories you burn.

Carolyn 10-12-2007 @ 4:32PM

I prefer vigorous - I get a much bigger endorphin high when I work out really hard. I also want to burn the max calories and don't have an hour to waste on the treadmill to burn only 200 calories. Give me a spin class anyday!

starwxrwx 10-12-2007 @ 2:32AM

Vigourous! - moderate exercise will help relax you, settle your stomach, get rid of that headache, etc... but nothing will make you lose weight better than sweat sweat sweating it out at a high heart rate.