Does Going to the Gym Twice a Week Make a Difference?

Having a full schedule can lead you to cut back on your workout time, and that in turn can make you wonder just how little you can get away with. Unfortunately, this question all depends on a few variables.

The duration and intensity of your workout, even twice a week, can mean the difference between excellent fitness and very little change. Keep in mind that while gym workouts provide fitness equipment and specialized training equipment, you don't have to confine all of your physical fitness to your time at the gym. Having an active life plus regular workouts shows the greatest results.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week that focus on all major muscle groups.

While for overall health, you should focus on being active every day, you can meet these recommendations in two gym sessions. For your time at the gym, try to fit in an hour or so of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise and a variety of weight-lifting and resistance exercises. You should also try to spread out your gym days to allow for rest days and continuous improvement.

Aerobic exercises are comprised of almost any type of exercise that raises your heart rate. Swimming laps, jogging or running, bicycling, playing basketball and using the elliptical are all great ideas for aerobic workouts. You can do an entire hour on one machine or break up the hour into smaller sections to get some variety.

You may even want to consider taking a class at the gym to stay motivated and interested. Aerobics and dance classes are offered at many gyms as well as swimming and basketball teams. Ensure that you are getting in a solid hour where your heart rate is elevated to get the most benefit from your exercise.

Read more: List of Aerobic Exercises

If you can only make it to the gym twice, ensure that you get in muscle-strengthening activities without overtiring muscles. Try to do a complete circuit of activities on both days, to ensure that you maximize your gym time. Mayo Clinic recommends completing muscle strengthening activities on two or more days of the week, so you could see significant results with just two workouts a week.

Read more: How to Find the Best At-Home Workouts for You

Remember that while you may only be able to get into the gym two days a week, you can probably supplement your overall health by focusing on nutrition and getting in some physical fitness at home. Walk in your neighborhood and take the stairs as much as possible. Lift free weights at home and do circuits of pushups, sit-ups and other resistance exercises that don't require equipment.

Chores around the house and moving around during the day contribute to overall fitness, so look for ways to be active on a daily basis. In fact, according to Harvard Health Publishing, a 155-pound person can burn approximately 93 calories just cooking dinner and 167 washing the car or windows.

Don't neglect your diet either. Eat a balanced diet, focusing on fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates which will fuel your body and contribute to your fitness goals throughout the week.

Going to the gym even twice a week can make a significant difference in overall fitness and health if you follow these basic guidelines to get the most from your workouts. However, for even greater results, commit to building a healthy diet and active lifestyle overall.