How long should each continuous training session last at a minimum?

The minimum duration for each continuous training session is generally considered to be around 20 minutes. This time frame is significant because it allows the body enough time to reach a steady state of cardiovascular activity or a moderate level of physical exertion that is necessary for effective conditioning.

During the first few minutes of exercise, the body is transitioning from a resting state to a state of physical activity. This transition includes physiological changes such as increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood flow to the muscles. A minimum duration of 20 minutes helps ensure that these physiological benefits are maximized and that the individual engages in sufficient activity to warrant fitness gains and improvements in endurance and overall health.

Exercising for less than 20 minutes may not provide the same cardiovascular benefits or adaptation responses that longer sessions do, which is why shorter durations like 10 minutes are often not recommended for continuous training sessions aimed at improving fitness. Longer sessions, such as those lasting 30 or 60 minutes, can certainly provide greater benefits, but the threshold of 20 minutes serves as a practical minimum to achieve effectiveness in training adaptations.