Science tells us how much exercise we should actually be doing
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What headline sparked the conversation about optimal workout length?
Show requested. So here it is. As long as you've got da-da-data.
It's ZM's Brie and Clint podcast. Look, this headline really grabbed my attention today on the NZ Herald. And it was the headline that read this. Scientists compare three and 90-minute workouts. The result may surprise you.
Oh.
And I was like, whoa.
Yeah.
Surely they're not going to make that the headline unless it was good news. Because
my mind straight away goes three-minute workout, way too short. 90-minute workout,
way too
long.
How do scientists compare 3‑minute high‑intensity workouts to 90‑minute moderate sessions?
Who's working out for 90 minutes? You know who got it right? Who? F45.
F45, I agree.
A hot fire, 45 minutes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what we want. Oh, God. If the answer to this article is 45 minutes, if it's split the difference, I'll be so mad.
That's not split the difference. That's way closer to 90 minutes.
You want to think about that?
Oh.
What did the Cell Reports Medicine study reveal about blood‑marker benefits?
Is it? Well, it's half of 90. Oh, yeah,
shit. In a groundbreaking new study published... That's so fun to watch happen in real time. Oh, God, my math is getting worse, honestly. You know, people are like, my eyesight's getting worse. For me, my math is getting worse and my social skills. This study was published last month in Cell Reports Medicine.
Oh, my favourite.
My favorite read every month as
well. I love the centerfolds.
And essentially scientists found that three minutes of intense exercise may have more beneficial impacts on our physiology and health than 90 minutes of more moderate exertion.
Yeah, right. Okay.
Why are researchers talking about a “fitness pill” and what is a Zempik?
And I mean, it's very science heavy, the article, and I don't really understand it. And it's something to do with like they took blood samples from the people who took part in the studies and they found, you know, different benefits from people who worked out for a high intensity three minutes rather than 90
minutes. So we are going to take from that. Three
minutes. Workout for three minutes. Yeah,
exactly.
Yeah.
We're pathetic, aren't we? We're just trying to whittle this thing down as much as possible. All we're really waiting for is a pill. A fitness pill.
Yeah. I mean, they have one. It's called a Zempik.
What are fitness influencers saying about limiting gym time to under an hour?
Oh.
They finally invented one. And peptides are the rage at the moment,
I think. I was going to say,
because I don't want to be skinny. This is the thing I've seen a lot, though, on social media. I reckon the last 12 months where a lot of fitness influencers or personal trainers talk about how you shouldn't even be at the gym. They say, don't even go to the gym for an hour.
Oh.
Because after a certain amount of time, they're like- Your body's just
tired.
You need to-
Yeah, okay.
Like work out smarter rather than work out harder.
Which is so easy to say for someone who isn't addicted to Instagram.
Exactly.
You know?
How does phone use and break timing affect focus during gym workouts?
Because I go to the gym and then I'm like, oh, the trainer said I have to have 90 seconds of rest in between these sets. And the second my brain doesn't have something to do for eight seconds- Really? Yeah.
Really? Are you? Wow. See, when I'm at the gym, it is the one place where I feel like I don't have that urge.
Really?
Yeah. Do you
leave your phone in the car?
No, I have my phone with me because I listen to music.
Oh.
But that's the only reason. I leave it in my pocket.
What final thoughts do Bree and Clint share about smarter, not harder, training?
That's crazy. I'm just waiting for this break to finish so I can check my notifications.
Yeah, you've looked at your computer multiple times. You've looked at Claudia. The only person you haven't been looking at is me. I'm over here.
Sorry. I just saw a text from someone
who said,
Clint, get on the steroids.
Far out.
Nah, I don't want to get on the steroids.
He did that. Wasn't a good
result. Shrink my
balls too much.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What headline sparked the conversation about optimal workout length?
0:00–0:39
2
How do scientists compare 3‑minute high‑intensity workouts to 90‑minute moderate sessions?
0:39–1:04
3
What did the Cell Reports Medicine study reveal about blood‑marker benefits?
1:04–1:49
4
Why are researchers talking about a “fitness pill” and what is a Zempik?
1:49–2:24
5
What are fitness influencers saying about limiting gym time to under an hour?
2:24–3:05
6
How does phone use and break timing affect focus during gym workouts?
3:05–3:38
7
What final thoughts do Bree and Clint share about smarter, not harder, training?
3:38–4:09
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from ZM's Bree & Clint
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