# What's the Ideal Amount of Exercise? How many hours of exercise per week are optimal for health? - **Source:** [Scott H Young](https://www.scotthyoung.com) - **Published:** 2026-06-15 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2a7d8d95-4ddf-4b6c-93de-d714f002f8db ## The Importance of Exercise In modern life, lack of physical activity negatively impacts our health. Studies show most people don't move enough. Less than 10% meet the recommended weekly 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Creating a sustainable routine is therefore crucial. ## Diminishing Returns A study of 600,000 people revealed the relationship between exercise and mortality risk. Going from zero to 1 hour weekly provides the biggest benefit. However, no additional benefits appear beyond 750 minutes. Whether extreme exercise is harmful remains unclear. ## Optimal Exercise Range Research shows 3-5 times the standard recommendation yields the best health outcomes. This equals 375-750 minutes of moderate activity weekly. But this amount isn't practical for most. Personal preferences and time management must be considered. ## Exercise and Lifespan Exercise extends life, but not linearly. One hour weekly adds ~1.8 years, while 7 hours adds only 2.4 years. The first hours provide the highest return on investment. ## Exercise as Time Investment Time spent exercising pays long-term dividends. For example, 3 hours weekly equals 1.5 years 'lost' over 40 years, but gains 2.5 years lifespan - a net ~1 year benefit. ## How Much Do You Enjoy It? Exercise benefits go beyond health. If you enjoy the activity, it boosts mood and quality of life. Viewing exercise as pleasure rather than chore enhances sustainability. ## Exercise Types and Effects Different exercises (running, swimming, yoga) affect body and mind differently. The key is finding what suits you. Yoga benefits physical and mental health, while running improves cardiovascular fitness. ## Creating Sustainable Routines Set realistic goals for sustainability. Start with 30-minute walks 3-5 times weekly, gradually increasing intensity. The focus should be long-term consistency. ## Exercise and Other Life Areas Exercise positively impacts work performance, social relationships and more. Regular activity boosts energy, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive function - making you more productive and happier daily. ## Finding Personal Balance Exercise is vital but not sufficient alone. It should complement sleep, nutrition and stress management. By creating personal balance, you optimize both physical and mental wellbeing. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2026/06/15/optimal-exercise/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._