Here’s How Often You Should Work Out Based On Your Goals,...

What’s Happening

Breaking it down: Hint: There’s an answer just for you.

Whether your goal is to gain muscle , build endurance , lose weight , or improve your overall health and wellness, chances are you want to lock in a sustainable workout plan . You also want to set yourself up for success with enough challenging sweats and time for your body to recover. (wild, right?)

Striking that balance may seem tricky, but fitness pros have some clear advice about how often you should work out—and what types of exercise you should focus on when you do.

The Details

First, you have to figure out your goals, says WH advisor Sohee Carpenter , CSCS, trainer and fitness educator. Three main buckets to consider: general health , weight loss , and building muscle .

Meet the the experts: Sohee Carpenter , CSCS, is a trainer, fitness educator, and WH advisory board member. Kehinde Anjorin , NCSF, CFSC, is the founder of The Power Method .

Why This Matters

Rebecca Kennedy , CPT, is the director of strength for Peloton. Natalya Vasquez , CPT, is a certified personal trainer, health coach, and founder of Bridal Bootcamp San Diego . Whether you want to run a record number of miles, get into strength training , lose weight , or just feel healthy all over, there is an optimal number of workout days for you.

This is the kind of health news that affects everyday decisions.

Key Takeaways

Spoiler: It’s probably fewer days than you think.
Rest days are oh so valuable for hitting your goals, too.
Keep scrolling for your personalized answer to how often you should exercise (and how to create an effective workout routine) for each major goal.