Expert: Todd Bublitz, RCEP - 12/28/2006

Question
hello, im wondering something. im 17 years old and  i work alot, and go to school during the days.  on my day offs i run on my treadmill for 30 minutes.  i do get alot of exercise by moving at work, but im wondering if i'll still see results by exercising just 3 days a week if thats all i have time for.  also, how many situps/ab exercises should i do a week in order to get toned abs? tahnks

Answer
Miss Kittyhjluh,

Exercising three days a week for 30 minutes is considered a minimum to maintain any level of fitness.  After you have been exercising three days a week for 30 minutes for several weeks, you should no longer see any improvements.  You would have to increase either the number of days, the number of minutes or the intensity to get further "results".

To get toned abs, you would probably need to do at least 175-250 crunches a week (at least 25-50 a day).  However, you need to reduce your overall body fat in order to SEE the toned abs.  I have pretty toned abs, but I can't see them very well right now.

Best wishes.

Todd