How Many Days A Week Should You Run?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most experts agree that beginners should plan to run

three to four days per week

with at least one day of complete rest and optional cross-training on the other days. The duration of your initial run/walk sessions should be 20-30 minutes, increasing the percentage of time spent running in subsequent workouts.

Is it better to run 3 or 4 days a week?

As you can see, this means you need a minimum of 3-4 quality runs on your schedule each week.

Running 3-4 days per week

verses 5-7 days per week allows plenty of time for important cross-training activities to help prevent injury and allows for one to two rest days per week.

Is running 3 times a week enough?

If you exercise daily you will have lower risk of chronic disease, be leaner, and live longer than if you exercise just a few times a week. This doesn’t mean you have to run every day, however.

If you care about running enough to seek some form of progress, you need to run at least three times per week

.

Should I run 4 or 5 days a week?

I generally recommend

five running days per week for beginners in their first year or two of running, injury-prone runners with a history (or fear) of overuse injuries and many older runners

. Young, advanced, durable runners should aim for six days days (or even seven, if planned by a coach).

Can I run 5K every day?

Running a 5K every day can be a great way to improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen and maintain your muscles and keep yourself sane while you’re stuck at home, as long as you’re not brand-new to running. Plus, when paired with a healthy diet, it may even help you lose weight.

What happens if I run everyday for a month?

Running every day

may increase your risk for an overuse injury

. Overuse injuries result from taking on too much physical activity, too fast, and not allowing the body to adjust. Or they can result from technique errors, such as running with poor form and overloading certain muscles.

Is it okay to run 7 days a week?

Many runners will never have to run more than 5 days per week. For most, that will sufficiently improve fitness while minimizing the risk of injury. Some, though, will desire to run more.

For those passionate athletes looking to compete to the best of their ability, running 7 days per week may be necessary.

Is running 6 days a week too much?


Running 5–6 days per week is best

. The more often your body does something the better it gets at doing that thing. Start with an easy weekly distance and repeat it for at least 4 weeks. You CAN repeat the same distance for longer if you want.

Should I run 6 or 7 days a week?


Six days per week

If you have the time – and your body can handle the effort required – your performance will probably improve if you run more often, says Gaudette. Younger runners often can absorb more run training with less recovery time, Murr points out, while older runners may need more rest days.

Is it OK to run 10k 3 times a week?

If you want to improve, don’t race too often:

with a solid training background, you can safely race up to once every three weeks

, and perhaps even every fortnight for a limited period.

Is it better to run more often or longer?

More efficient metabolic rate –

Shorter runs can often be more intense than longer ones

. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that those who did high intensity exercise, like running intervals, burned more calories at rest than those training at a lower intensity.

Is running 5km 4 times a week good?


Running only four days per week can still be a very good way to burn enough calories to result in weight loss

. The distance you run on those four days is the determining factor as opposed to the number of minutes you are running. The faster pace you can run and the longer you can run, the more calories you will burn.

Do you need rest days from running?


Plan to take one day completely off each week

. This is your rest day. Rest days prevent overuse injuries, allow for restoration of glycogen stores, give the body time to heal and repair any soft tissue damage, and prevent mental burnout. When rest follows training, the body becomes stronger.

Is running 30 miles a week healthy?

Aerobic development breakthroughs come from consistent weekly mileage. If you can run 30 miles per week for a majority of the year, your half marathon time will be faster than if you only ran 30 miles in the weeks leading up to a race. You will experience breakthroughs when you safely increase your mileage.

How much jogging is too much?

How much running is too much? “If a mileage requires

more than 90+ min run most days

, it’s too high of mileage,” she explains.

What is a good distance to run everyday?

Running about

15 to 20 miles a week

provides optimal health benefits, O’Keefe said. Or walking can provide benefits, from 2 miles a day to as much as 40 miles a week. Virtually all types of exercise and activities can also be protective, but moderation is best for long-term benefits, he said.

Does running tone your stomach?

While most runners don’t run solely to get abs or tone their body, it can be a nice side benefit of the sport. While running is primarily a cardio exercise,

it does strengthen and tone many muscles in your body, including your abs

.

Is running 5km in 30 minutes good?

Many runners complete a 5K in 30 to 40 minutes, and

many runners are satisfied with their time if it’s around this benchmark

. The average walker finishes a 5K in 45 to 60 minutes.

Does running reduce belly fat?

Studies have found that

moderate-to-high aerobic exercise like running can reduce belly fat, even without changing your diet

( 12 , 13 , 14 ). An analysis of 15 studies and 852 participants found that aerobic exercise reduced belly fat without any change in diet.

Is running for 30 minutes enough?


Running for 30 minutes per day, five days a week is plenty if you’re looking to lose weight

. It is essential to remain consistent with exercise, nutrition, sleep, and hydration if you want to see real progress. Just be sure to build up your running gradually to reduce your risk of injury.

What if I jog 30 minutes a day?

If you keep your run to 30 minutes, you’re very unlikely to overstretch or overuse your muscles. That means

a much lower risk of injury

. As long as you take the usual stretching and cool-down measures to recover properly, your body will feel readier and more refreshed when it comes to your next long run.

How often should I take a break from running?

The best time to take a three-week break is at the end of your racing season, after a marathon or whenever your enthusiasm for running wanes. Stay in shape. During your break, run just

once a week if you ordinarily train three or four times, or twice a week if you usually work out five to seven times

.

Is it better to run every other day?


You may want to start out running every other day. This will give you sufficient recovery time while you are building a running habit

. You can either take a complete rest day or do another activity on your days off from running. But you also need to be careful that you don’t let rest be an excuse for not running.

How far should I run in 30 minutes?

If you’re able to run for 30 minutes, the typical next question is: How far should I run in 30 minutes? Beginner runners should aim to run

2 – 3 miles (3.2 – 4.8 kilometres)

in 30 minutes. Even if you’re taking regular walking breaks, you should be able to run this distance in half an hour.

What is a good weekly running schedule?
  • Train three days a week.
  • Run or run/walk 20 to 30 minutes, two days a week.
  • Take a longer run or run/walk (40 minutes to an hour) on the weekend.
  • Rest or cross-train on your off days.
  • Run at a conversational pace.
  • Consider taking regular walk-breaks.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.