Skip to main content
. 2009 Jan 22;9:31. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-31

Table 1.

Components of the exercise programme [35]

Component Includes these exercises Repetitions per exercisea Duration of a single exercise or repetition Duration per 60 minutes class Major benefits
Warm-up - Range-of-motion.
- Low-intensity aerobics.
4–8 2 seconds per repetition 10 minutes minimum - Increases internal body temperature.
- Injury prevention.

Aerobics - Aerobic exercises (e.g. walking, swimming, cycling) Varies Varies 15–30 minutes - Cardio respiratory endurance.

Resistance training - Body- weightb exercises.
- Resistance exercises.
8–15 6 seconds per repetition 15–30 minutes - Muscular strength and endurance.

Cool-down - Stretching. 1 30–45 seconds per stretch 5–30 minutes - Improved flexibility.

- Relaxation techniques.
- Stress-reduction techniques.
Varies Varies 5–30 minutes - Relaxation, stress reduction.

aSeveral factors determine the number of repetitions, such as the component of exercise, the level of fitness of the participant, the level of progress for that exercise, day-to-day variations in the participant's state, and the total amount of time available for the exercise class.

bBody-weight exercises are exercises in which one's body weight, such as the weight of one's arm or legs, serves as the resistance.