Is 20mins running 3 times a week long enough?

[horseymad]

Hi I run 3 times a week, and will be increasing this to 4 times next month and just wondered to get the best weight loss and fitness results how long the runs should be. I do 20mins at the moment is this long enough? Thanks

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by horseymad

Hi I run 3 times a week, and will be increasing this to 4 times next month and just wondered to get the best weight loss and fitness results how long the runs should be. I do 20mins at the moment is this long enough? Thanks

It really depends on the intensity, although 20 minutes is still better than less or even nothing. 20 minutes of HIIT is considered maximum time and would work, and it is suggested that it only be done about 3 times a week anyway. Alternatively 45 minutes seems to be a suggested cardio workout time even for Fartlek training. A study was done which seemed to indicate that people got more out of a minimum of 40 minutes cardio than they got out of shorter (but less intense versions than HIIT) sessions of around 20 minutes; the study is mentioned in The Official British Army Fitness Guide.

So, yes 20 minutes is enough if it's HIIT otherwise try and aim for around 45 minutes.

And, yes, 20 minutes is enough if it is more than nothing.

Either way, 20 minutes is good, but you could get more out of your cardio sessions, if: a) they are higher intensity but short; b) they are longer but not necessarily very high intensity.