Most are probably tired of everyone telling them that they need to exercise for at least 75 minutes a day of "intense" exercise, such as jogging, or a minimum of two hours a week of "regular" exercise, such as walking.
But aside from these, there are other methods to keep active, some of which you might already be doing, and you wouldn't have even known that they counted.
METs
Any exercise that registers between 3.0 and slightly under 6.0 METs, or metabolic equivalents, is considered moderate intensity according to the American Heart Association's physical activity guidelines.
The energy you expend just by being alive is referred to as a single MET, or around one calorie per minute. Therefore, we would conclude that it qualifies as 4 METs and is firmly in the "medium" category if a brisk stroll sees you using four times as many calories as you do when resting in bed.
What Counts As Exercise?
The exciting part is that many objects can be between 3 and 6 METs. Many scientists worldwide have measured the amount of energy used during various tasks in the lab and published charts showing their results. These include things you would not consider exercise, like golfing or having a job that requires you to remain on your feet all day, as well as home chores like various kinds of cleaning.
The Highest METs
Boot camp training, Military obstacle courses, heavy squats, and lap swimming are also included in the 5-and-up group. Many soldiers and professional athletes participate in the 6 Met exercises.
Anything that requires more effort than what is stated here is most certainly in the 6 METs-and-up category, which includes activities like soccer, dancing, and driving a drag racing and increases in difficulty. But don't feel bad if you don't do any of these, the beauty is that so many activities burn calories faster than you think.