Getting Active

Experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least five days each week. You don’t have to do this in one go.

You can break it down into smaller chunks throughout the day. Research shows that short bursts of moderate intensity activity, when accumulated, offer just as much health benefit as doing it all at once.

If you want to engage in vigorous activity, and you are pregnant, previously inactive or suffer from a medical condition, you need to seek medical advice first.

What is Moderate Intensity Activity?

It is often defined as an activity that results in an increase to your heart rate and breathing to a point where you can still talk, but not sing. Brisk walking is a good example.

What is Vigorous Activity? 

During vigorous activity, it becomes difficult to talk in full sentences between breaths. Jogging and fast cycling are good examples.

There are four steps for better health for Australian adults:

• Step 1
  Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience
• Step 2
  Be active every day in as many ways as you can
• Step 3
  Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days
• Step 4
  If you can, we suggest you also enjoy some regular, vigorous activity for extra health and fitness