There’s an article on ABC about extreme exercisers.
Jake Gyllenhaal transformed his body for the movie “Prince of Persia,” spending so many hours at the gym that he says he became addicted to working out, eventually injuring himself.
Now, most of my readers know I lust after adore Jake G. from back when he was in Bubble Boy. He was a cutie there and now is an extreme hottie!
All his working out (and eating properly) definitely got him bulked and defined, there’s no denying that.
Heidi Montag workouts for up to 14 hours a day. Mind you, I don’t even know who she is (sorry the only reality I shows I watch are Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition, and few others that obviously aren’t hers).
According to the article, Gyllenhaal and Montag are high profile examples of extreme exercisers – people who work out several hours a day to keep themselves fit.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 2 ½ hours of moderate aerobic activity a week for adults.
Now, my thoughts…
I think (and again, these are my opinions) that those who work out more than the recommended time are:
-concerned about their health and shape
-want to improve their fitness levels
-competitors
-professional athletes
-professional actors/actresses who rely on their body/ability to be cast in a role
-pretty much anyone!
-NOT necessarily addicted to exercise or to the results either (the only way I would say it was an addiction is if it interfered in a person’s normal lifestyle…that they chose it over work and other obligations, neglected their responsibilities…then I’d say it could be addictive)
Seriously 150 minutes is what the Dept. of Health recommends…that’s just over 20 minutes a day.
So, at what point does it become extreme?
The article states extreme exercisers – people who work out several hours a day to keep themselves fit.
If that is the definition of extreme exerciser, than a larger percentage of the people I know and hang with on Twitter and Facebook and myself are extreme exercisers!
If I had the ability to be working out for countless hours a day, I WOULD!
Right now, I push to get in about 2 hours between bike ride, running, light weights.
I used to workout for 6+ hours a day…over 20 years ago when I worked in a gym.
I would get to the gym before I officially opened it, work out for few hours, work out with my training clients, run on the beach, bike.
I’d love to have the body I had back then…strong and defined.
Even now, I’m working to get that back and prepare to train for a half marathon.
Does it mean I’m addicted because on average I exercise about 2 hrs a day 6 days a week.
I know lots of runners and others who do the same.
So, does that make us all addicts?
I don’t think so.
I’ve never been real big on some “Department of anything” recommending what I should do.
Shouldn’t we know what is right for our bodies, abilities, health?
While I understand they make their recommendation so people who do nothing would get up and get active, it’s not set in stone nor does anything over that make us an addict.
What do you think?
How often & long do you work out?
Good points girl. I do a spinning class daily and weights. I’m usually in the gym for at least 90 minutes to two hours 4-5x a week. I don’t consider myself extreme but as you pointed out by the article definition I am. I saw other blogs this morning about this and all of them said it was addicting but your points bring up the other angle and one that I’m sure others will agree with. Thanks for all you do 🙂
I entirely agree Tara. Most Dept. of anything recommendations are just enough to keep humans alive, much less in good health. Thanks for the positive post. I recently started on a 90 day challenge for myself. While not being able to quite make my exercise goals, I am eating very clean and still seeing great results. I’m starting the last 30 days of my challenge and really want to ramp up my workouts. I guess, I’ll be “addicted” by then.
Michael
way to go Michael!!!! while you may not be able to quite make your exercise goals, you’re still going and still doing what you can and getting results and making an effort…that alone is great! 🙂
and yea, I’d prefer listening to my body and what it needs over listening to any “Dept.”
I think I’m addicted. But I’m ok with that. I think the thing with addiction is not necessarily how much you train but how you react when you don’t train. I can go one day without training but by the second day I’m grumpy and not myself. So yes, addicted! BUT, my philosophy is that if I’m going to be addicted to something, exercise seems like a rather benign outlet! 🙂