Minute Tip · Walking and steady movement
What does 150 minutes mean?
The weekly guideline, in plain language.
This is the written version. We publish a video only once it has been made and reviewed.
The tip
You may have heard that adults should get 150 minutes of activity a week. Here is what that means.
Guidelines advise at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week. Or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity. Or a mix, where one vigorous minute counts as about two moderate ones.
Moderate means you can talk but not sing, like a brisk walk. Spread across a week, that is about 30 minutes on five days, but ten-minute pieces count too.
These are guidelines for adults in general, not a prescription for you. If you have a health condition, be as active as your abilities allow, and ask a clinician for advice.
The claim behind this tip
Strong evidence For substantial health benefits, guidelines advise adults to do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination.
Consistent support from authoritative guidelines for the narrow claim made here. Source-checked on . This rating is proposed, pending confirmation by a person. No clinician has reviewed this page.
Limits: These are population-level guidelines, not an individual prescription. People who cannot reach these amounts because of a chronic condition are advised to be as active as their abilities and conditions allow.
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018)
- WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, World Health Organization (2020)
Limits: Population-level guidelines, not an individual prescription. General education, not medical advice.
Try it today
Take a comfortable 10-minute walk. Choose a familiar, safe route and walk at a pace that feels comfortable today. About 10 minutes.
Go deeper
- How Much Exercise Do Adults Over 50 Need?
- More Minute Tips
- Personalize this for me One small step chosen each day from your goals, interests, and limits.
