What’s the “Best” Exercise? (Ep. 150)

by Stephen J. Dubner
Listen now:

Our latest Freakonomics Radio episode is called “What’s the ‘Best’ Exercise?” (You can subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, listen via the media player above, or read the transcript.)

During the podcast, we discuss exercise commitment devices and cost-effectiveness; and we come up with a three-point checklist to help you out. We call it “The Three I’s”: Intensity, Individualization, and “I Like to Do It.” If you’re searching for activities that you might like but haven’t thought about before, check out the CDC’s rather extensive list.

This episode features the introduction of a new friend, Jasmine (brought to life by Cepstral), and was inspired by a question from a listener named Scott Hechinger — thanks, Scott!


Daniel

For a podcast that claims to base conclusions on evidence, I'm disappointed that you accepted uncritically the claim that Quickgym provides in 4 minutes the equivalent of a full cardio workout. You never put the question to any doctor or exercise expert. I have never seen the product, and for all I know it may be a quality machine, but without independent evidence (a double-blind controlled study of sufficient breadth would do) I reject the claim that it can provide in 4 minutes the benefit of an hour's conventional workout. In addition, there are plenty of machines, including very simple ones, that allow you to work at maximum intensity. A rowing machine, or anything that allows full-body exertion can do it, for a LOT less money.

High-intensity workouts (known as interval training) have real uses in athletic training, but they provide peak performance for a short time period, after which the athlete must back off; and for a non-athlete they can lead to injury.

And I hate the robot voice.

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Jason

The best exercises I would have to say is called digesting because whatever physical exercise you do is not going to really matter unless your eating habits are good. http://www.jasonandersonblog.com/blog/category/best-exercises

E Lum

I wasn't able to finish listening to this episode because the Jasmine computer voice was sooooo irritating.

Aurelien

Please spare us from the awfull computer voice :)
NOT worth the investment for sure.

Matt

Can you do a similar podcast on food? Inquiring minds want to know - what's THE BEST possible breakfast (and lunch and dinner, for that matter) one can eat?

By best, I mean the one resulting in the highest amount of energy on the day it's eaten while also having beneficial long-term health effects.

James Allen Jr.

I used the most wonderfully short (basically high intensity strength/interval training) "7 minute workout" by Joel Therien to get in the best shape I'd been in, in about 20 years!
I lost 32 pounds in the first two months and 53 overall by the sixth month that I did the every other day for about 15 minutes workout (it could be 7 min. but I rest more). I was also taught some nutritional info that has kept most of the weight off effortlessly and permanently, with or without the workouts.

Most important take away... Build Muscle and the muscle will burn fat 24/7 (even in your sleep!)

Mike Cronan

Just answer the question!!!