Everyday Health Dilemmas Solved

Exercise for Half an Hour Three Days a Week or Go for a Two-Hour Bike Ride on the Weekend?

Better choice: half an hour three days a week 
The weekend-warrior approach may be tempting, but experts are unanimous in advising against it.

Ideally, you should aim for 30 to 60 minutes of activity at least five days a week. "Every time you exercise, you reap benefits," like lowering blood sugar and boosting metabolism, says Cedric Bryant.

Perhaps the biggest problem weekend warriors face is the risk of injury - overdoing an activity without gradually building up your endurance is a recipe for disaster.

 But… For weight loss, you can burn just as many calories in one shot as you might spread over the week. "If it's weekend warrior or nothing, you're still better off exercising than sitting on the couch," Bryant says. If possible, spread the activity out over two days, and warm up before diving in.