fitness

Kayla Itsines shares how much exercise she really does every week.

She’s admitted that, like many of us, she’s rarely out of activewear (although to be fair she’s probably far more active) but now Kayla Itsines has shared just how much exercise she really does.

The personal trainer, whose 28 minute Bikini Body Guide workouts and Sweat with Kayla fitness app have been used by millions of women around the world, said it was a question she regularly gets asked by her followers.

Her answer is probably not what we expected.

I get asked a lot “how many hours do you workout a day” … or … “how many times do you workout a week” – So for the ladies who don’t know, I workout for 28 mins, 3-4 days a week. Exactly like my app #sweatwithkayla ???? I do this because I’ve disciplined myself to do so. I’ve been training like this since I was 19, I’m 25. NOW, in saying this, I spend 1 hour in total at the gym because I warm up and cool down. I don’t just do my 28 mins and leave. Before every session, I do a few dynamic stretches, I walk for 5 minutes, skip for 3 minutes – THEN start my workout. I finish my workout, foam roll for 10 minutes and then stretch for the remaining time ????☀️️ Just some info for the girls who wanted to know ❤️ www.kaylaitsines.com/app

A photo posted by Kayla Itsines (@kayla_itsines) on

“I get asked a lot ‘How many hours do you workout a day’… or… ‘How many times do you workout a week’, so for the ladies who don’t know, I work out for 28 minutes, three to four days a week. Exactly like my app #SweatwithKayla,” she captioned a mirror selfie wearing gym clothing.

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While it’s certainly not lacking, we half expected her to say multiple hours daily.

“I do this because I’ve disciplined myself to do so. I’ve been training like this since I was 19, I’m 25.”

However Itsines’ workout isn’t actually shorter than an episode of your favourite Netflix show. (Post continues after gallery.)

“NOW, in saying this, I spend one hour in total at the gym because I warm up and cool down. I don’t just do my 28 mins and leave,” she continued.

“Before every session, I do a few dynamic stretches, I walk for five minutes, skip for three minutes – THEN start my workout. I finish my workout, foam roll for 10 minutes and then stretch for the remaining time.”

It works out to be around 112 minutes of intense exercise or three to four total hours of physical activity a week, well within the recommended guidelines.

According to Australia’s Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, adults between the ages of 18 and 64 years old should be aiming for “two and a half to five hours of moderate intensity physical activity of 75 minutes to two and a half hours of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both moderate and vigorous activities, each week.”

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It also recommends doing muscle strengthening activities on at least two days each week.

Many of Itsines’ followers, a community often referred to as Kayla’s Army, were surprised by her answer.

“Really??? Incredible!!!!” Wrote one commenter.

Others were more skeptical.

“Don’t think she is extremely honest in that part. I am pretty sure she works out every day and at least three to four hours a day – it is her job to sell it to users though,” wrote one follower.

Listen: Mamamia Out Loud discusses the fit-shaming phenomenon. Post continues below.

The Adelaide-based personal trainer launched her now multi-million dollar fitness business in 2014 with partner Toby Pearce.

Between the BBG guide and the app launched last year, the couple estimate that 25 million people around the world have interacted with the program in some way.

Image: Instagram/@kaylaitsines.