The Importance Of Exercise

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- I am always talking about the importance of exercise, but what do the major medical organizations think about the best way to exercise?

Some of this seems logical but it is evidence based. People should exercise 30 minutes five to seven times a week. If you want to achieve weight loss you should exercise 45-60 minutes each week, children should exercise an hour a day.

In case you are wondering there is a 10 percent decrease in cardiovascular risk for every 10,000 steps per day. You can do both aerobic training and resistance training is helpful as well.

Health care providers are now recommending supervised programs for those who need to make the greatest strides. The one point that I want to add to this is the fact that you don't have to exercise until it hurts. The concept of no pain no gain might be great for professional athletes but for people maintaining health balance it is counterproductive.