Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. Speak to your GP first if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions or concerns. Make sure your activity and its intensity are appropriate for your fitness. Adults should aim to: You can also achieve your weekly activity target with: These guidelines are also suitable for: When you start exercising after pregnancy, make sure your physical activity choices reflect your activity levels before pregnancy. You should include strength training. After your 6- to 8-week postnatal check, you can start to do more intense activities if you feel you're able to. Vigorous activity is not recommended if you were inactive before pregnancy.
What counts as moderate aerobic activity?
Moderate activity will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. One way to tell if you're working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing.
Examples of moderate intensity activities include:
- brisk walking
- water aerobics
- riding a bike
- dancing
- doubles tennis
- pushing a lawn mower
- hiking
- rollerblading
What counts as vigorous activity?
Vigorous intensity activity makes you breathe hard and fast. If you're working at this level, you will not be able to say more than a few words without pausing for breath.
In general, 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week can give similar health benefits to 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity.
Most moderate activities can become vigorous if you increase your effort.
Examples of vigorous activities include:
- running
- swimming
- riding a bike fast or on hills
- walking up the stairs
- sports, like football, rugby, netball and hockey
- skipping
- aerobics
- gymnastics
- martial arts
For a moderate to vigorous workout, get running with Couch to 5K, a 9-week running plan for beginners.
What counts as very vigorous activity?
Very vigorous activities are exercises performed in short bursts of maximum effort broken up with rest.
This type of exercise is also known as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
Examples of very vigorous activities include:
- lifting heavy weights
- circuit training
- sprinting up hills
- interval running
- running up stairs
- spinning classes
What activities strengthen muscles?
To get health benefits from strength exercises, you should do them to the point where you need a short rest before repeating the activity.
There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether you're at home or in a gym.
Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include:
- carrying heavy shopping bags
- yoga
- pilates
- tai chi
- lifting weights
- working with resistance bands
- doing exercises that use your own body weight, such as push-ups and sit-ups
- heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling
- wheeling a wheelchair
- lifting and carrying children
Try exercise routines like:
- strength workout videos in our Fitness Studio exercise videos
You can do activities that strengthen your muscles on the same or different days as your aerobic activity – whatever's best for you.
Muscle-strengthening exercises are not always an aerobic activity, so you'll need to do them as well as your 150 minutes of aerobic activity.
Physical activity recommendations for other age groups:
- Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years)
- Physical activity guidelines for children and young people
- Physical activity guidelines for older adults
GOV.UK also has a number of physical activity guidelines as infographics.
Research shows that regular physical activity offers numerous health benefits including, but not limited to, the regulation of blood pressure, management of anxiety and depression and the prevention of weight gain. ACSM provides recommendations and guidelines for physical activity and exercise based on the latest science and insights from health professionals.
ACSM is known throughout the industry as the "gold standard" when it comes to exercise recommendations. Thanks in large part to the publication of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, now in its 11th edition. GETP has been a staple resource for professionals since 1975.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, gives the most current physical activity recommendations for all age groups and special populations.
ACSM and CDC recommendations state that:
- All healthy adults aged 18–65 years should participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on five days per week, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes on three days per week.
- Every adult should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance for a minimum of two days per week.