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How Long Should You Spend at the Gym?

Man smiling and holding clock while standing in front of AFAC gym in Thornton CO

With our busy modern lives, every minute is accounted for, and carving out time for the gym can feel like a daunting task. We’re also bombarded with conflicting advice: some swear by marathon gym sessions, while others tout the benefits of quick, intense workouts. With so many opinions floating around, it’s no wonder many of us are confused, asking the age-old question: How much time should I spend at the gym?

The answer, as it turns out, is not one-size-fits-all. It’s a personalized journey, dependent on individual goals, fitness levels, and lifestyle constraints. In this blog, we’ll offer practical insights to help you optimize your gym routine.

Join us as we navigate the maze of gym time management, empowering you to make informed decisions and maximize your time at AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado.

How Do We Spend Our Time at the Gym?

Before we answer how long someone should spend at the gym, we need to consider what we’re actually timing. There are so many things that can take up our precious gym time, such as:

… and the list goes on. You probably get the point by now, though.

Lots of activities go on at the gym, all of which take up time. Even if two people do the exact same workout, they’ll spend different amounts of time at the gym depending on their experience, habits, and personal schedule.

This difference will be even greater for two people who do different workouts, have different goals, different needs, different time constraints, and different preferences.

For example:

  • A full-body workout for a beginner might only take 30 minutes. But a full-body workout for an advanced lifter could take 60 minutes, 90, or even longer.
  • An upper body workout will last longer than a lower body workout, simply because there are more muscle groups to train in the upper body (neck, back, chest, biceps, triceps, forearms, shoulders, abdomen) compared to the lower body (quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves).
  • A stronger person will need more warm-up sets than a weaker person, which significantly increases the stronger person’s workout time.
  • Some people prefer to do more sets with less weight, while others prefer to lift more weight for fewer sets. The person doing more sets will take longer than the person doing fewer sets.
  • Someone who wants to rest only 1 minute between sets will work out faster than someone who rests 3 minutes between sets.

For all these reasons and more, it becomes clear that there really is no universally ideal amount of time that everyone should spend in the gym. There are simply too many factors to consider, from a person’s workout split to their training goals, experience level, and preferences.

Why Do People Worry About How Much Time They Spend at the Gym?

Some fitness “experts” do give recommendations on how long you should spend at the gym, but in most cases, their advice should be taken with a grain of salt. The only things you should be concerned about when it comes to gym time are:

  • Doing too few exercises to meet your goals. If your workout time is too short, then you won’t challenge your body enough to make any progress.
  • Wasting time on too many exercises. If your gym time is too long, then you might end up doing unnecessary work that won’t move the needle much and could even lead to overtraining injuries.
  • Rushing to meet a certain timeframe. If you hurry through your workout to fit it inside an arbitrary time limit, you could sacrifice good form and your results.
  • Fitting gym time into your personal schedule. Everyone’s schedule will only allow them to be at the gym for a certain amount of time.

Beyond these factors, it doesn’t matter if you want to stay at the gym for 30 minutes, an hour, two hours, longer, or anywhere in between.

How Long Does a Typical Workout at the Gym Take?

If you’re really looking for some type of guideline, workouts tend to last between 30-120 minutes depending on a person’s goals, training split, experience, and schedule. To drill down even further, most workouts are 45-90 minutes.

This, of course, is not a recommendation, but just a typical estimate for how long, on average, a typical workout timeframe might be for a typical member at a typical gym.

But, once again, the amount of time you work out doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you have a workout program that’s designed to help you meet your fitness goals.

How Long Should I Work Out at the Gym to Pursue My Goals?

Now that we understand that working out according to your goals matters more than committing to a certain amount of time at the gym, what are the general guidelines for different types of goals?

  • To build muscle — This can depend on your workout split, but most bodybuilders aim for 3-5 strength training workouts a week with each session lasting 60-90 minutes. They also fit in some cardio, usually at least 30 minutes, 4-5 times per week.
  • To lose weight — Strive for 4-5 cardio sessions per week, with each session lasting 30-60 minutes. Longer sessions can result in faster weight loss. You should also incorporate full-body strength training into your program 2-3 times per week, with each session lasting 30-60 minutes.
  • General fitness — Plan for 3-4 workouts per week with each session lasting 30-60 minutes. Make sure to include a good mix of both cardio and strength training.

Keep in mind, however, that these are estimates. Everyone’s fitness level and abilities are different, so some people may need more or less time at the gym to accomplish what they’re trying to achieve.

What if I Only Have 30 Minutes to Go to the Gym?

Don’t be disappointed if you only have a half-hour to devote to gym time. Even just 30 minutes of intense, focused exercise can be as effective as a longer workout. It’s all about the quality of your workout program and making sure you’re pushing your body to its limits.

Making Every Minute Count at AFAC Gym

As we discuss how long people should spend at the gym, one thing becomes clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your ideal time at the gym is as unique as you are, shaped by your goals, preferences, and lifestyle.

Whether you’re squeezing in a quick workout between meetings or relishing in a leisurely session on a Saturday, the key is consistency and intentionality. Every minute spent at the gym is an investment in your health and well-being, and by approaching your workouts with purpose, you can maximize the benefits and achieve your desired results.

So, as you navigate your fitness journey, remember to listen to your body, stay adaptable, and above all, enjoy the process. Whether it’s 20 minutes or two hours, what matters most is that you show up, give it your all, and leave feeling stronger, healthier, and more empowered than when you arrived.

We hope you will stop by AFAC to speak to one of our credentialed personal trainers or any member of our team to get started with a fitness program that’s tailored to your fitness level and goals. AFAC gym is committed to supporting your health and wellness efforts, so you’ll see the results you’re working so hard for. That’s why we’re the best gym in Thornton, Colorado, with hundreds of 5-star reviews.

To learn more about our top-rated gym and our incredible array of strength training and cardio equipment — as well as our unique offerings and amenities like daily group classes, cryotherapy, hydro massage, and our rock climbing wall and cave — we hope you will contact us or visit for a personalized tour. Our team will be happy to help you. For more information and assistance, you can also contact our gym owner, Susan, at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club.

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