Ask HN: How much do you exercise a day/week?

What took me off my armchair some years ago, when I had really become a couch potato, was weightlifting. By chance a gym opened 2 minutes from my flat, so I paid them a visit. First the guy there showed me how everything works: he did a few repetitions, then I did a few repetitions (of course, at the lowest setting) on every machine there. After 10 minutes I thanked him, sat on a couch, begged for a bottle of water and spent the next 20 minutes trying hard not to be sick.

In a few months I was in reasonable shape, but you could see a big difference in posture (and in not getting sick) from the second visit. Kept doing it for about 6 months, then on and off another 2 years. Then I started doing other stuff, mostly for fun. Last thing was indoor climbing - most fun I ever had doing sports. Also very good at unexpected things: I never expected my balance to improve so much.

My point is: weightlifting is the best thing to start with, for two reasons. Time wise it's by far the most efficient, both as time spent per week (twice is enough), and as time until getting into shape. Second, it's very useful for whatever you want to do in the future. Whatever the sport chances are basic strength and a bit of endurance are required.

Mostly I just walk places. I willingly walk over an hour into town to avoid catching a bus. If I'm late, I'll run part of the way.

I'm currently living on campus and have far less walking to do, but I play airsoft every few weeks. I also go to clubs and spend hours at a time dancing.

I have no idea if this really constitutes effective exercise, but I've never had health problems.

I am doing around 2 hours per week total, and it has positively changed my life in many ways.

I bought a crosstrainer a few months back, and it is the very best $200 USD I have ever spent, I highly recommend it to everyone.

I do 20 minutes or so on it, at a decent pace, and as many pushups as I can handle, every other day . . . my body must react real well to exercise, because I now get looks from the ladies!

A well shaped geek I am, if you can all believe it :)

Seriously however, exercising has improved my life in a myriad of ways.

4 times a week for certain, sometimes 5.

Run a 5k, then abs and 24 sets of lifting.

Can't stand treadmills, so usually run outdoors.

I usually get insanely focused and clear my head while working out, so it's equally as beneficial from a mental health standpoint as a physical health standpoint.

Yep, in the past I would go through a month of exercise addiction at the gym or pool, then do nothing for the next four months. I've been off-road cycling (mountain biking would be a hyperbole for south-east england) for four years now, non-stop; its a great thing to discover an activity you enjoy so much, and the exercise becomes an added bonus.