Health & Fitness
Exercise Economics
If you want to get in the best shape of your life and—like most of us—you have limited time, why should you care about a relatively obscure Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto?
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Because exercise scientists from all over the world have conducted meticulous studies that confirm the Pareto Principle: Surprisingly often, 80% of the effects in our lives are produced by 20% of the causes. Some examples from business:
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80% of a company’s profit may come from only 20% of its customers
80% of a company’s profit may come from only 20% of their products
80% of a company’s sales may be generated by only 20% of the sales force
Makes sense, you say, but how can old Vilfredo improve my health and fitness?
If you read between the lines, you’ll see that the Pareto Principle is all about efficiency. And over the last decade, exercise scientists have repeatedly validated the 80-20 formula.
With the proper kind of concentrated exercise, you can produce at least 80% of potential results with only 20% (or less) of the training time previously thought necessary.
Cardio: Cyclists performing only twelve minutes of high-intensity work per week improved at least as much as another group logging up to six hours a week at moderate intensity.
Strength: A medical doctor who has run an exercise facility since 1997 has found that his clients’ strength gains are optimal when they perform brief workouts no more than once a week.
Flexibility: An internationally famous exercise guru states that high-tech flexibility techniques are almost three times more effective than standard stretching.
So take a page from Pareto’s dusty economics text and apply it to your exercise routine. Focus on quality over quantity and you’ll get great results in much less time than you ever dreamed possible.
Visit me at Rexercise (283-A Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown) and learn more about efficient exercise.
617-923-0010