The Magic Number by Liz Neporent (NAPSA)—Another popularfitness belief bites the dust: Accord- ing to several recent studies, when it comes to exercise, more isnt necessarily better. In fact, shorter workouts may be the key to better health andfitness. So why is shorter better? It has to do with how likely you are to stay with a fitness regimen and how hard you actually work while exercising. A Brown University study, for example, concluded that people who were just beginning a fitness pro- eram were morelikely to stick with a shorter workout regimen, while another analysis by the University of New Hampshire at Durham found exercisers who chose two shorter treadmill sessions over one long session worked harder. And the payoff from that harder workout was a better boost in their aerobic Fitness instructor Cindy Whitmarsh capacity and endurance. For those looking for more direction, there are several easy-tofollow exercise videos that pack a 10 minutes of brisk walking or jog- minutes. Anchor Bay Entertain- continuous minutes. The shorter workouts moreeffectively helped to clear the arteries of triglycerides. Triglycerides can elevate the risk of a heart attack. the short workout blocks called “10 Minute Solution.” They are available in several exercise disciplines Similarly, researchers at the University of Missouri found that ging was moreeffective than 30 Yet more evidence supporting the benefits of a short workout comes from a Harvard School of Public Health study. It found that two 15 minute cardio workouts were as effective in reducing heart disease as a single 30 minute workout. Knowing that they don’t have to spend hours at the gym should cer- tainly encourage more people to work fitness into their day. But where to begin? Brisk walks and short bike rides are two simple waysto start. calorie-burning workout into 10 ment has a popular line of videos and DVDs built on the concept of and are adaptable to all levels of fitness. The two newest releases— “10 Minute Solution Pilates” with instructor Lara Hudson and “10 Minute Solution Target Toning for Beginners,” with instructor Cindy Whitmarsh—areavailableat retail locations or at www.getfitvideos. com/10min. Those on low-carb diets will be able to find a video called “10 Minute Solution: Carb Burner.” Liz Neporent, M.A., is a board memberof the American Council on Exercise and a contributing editor at Prevention magazine.
