With so many exercise routines, "miracle" products and group classes available, it can be challenging to get basic information about how frequently to exercise. There's no hard and fast rule about how many days per week to exercise. Instead, the goal should be to remain physically active throughout the week, while getting moderate to vigorous exercise on most days. Five days per week is a reasonable exercise goal that can help you remain healthy and lose weight.

Health Recommendations

Regular aerobic exercise can alleviate minor aches and pains, improve your mood, reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems and even help prevent cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. To achieve these benefits, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Strength training also plays a key role, and can help prevent osteoporosis, age-related muscle deterioration and muscle pain. The CDC recommends that adults perform strength-training exercises at least two days per week. The more you exercise, the more benefits you'll get, and it's easier to meet fitness goals when you break weekly exercise recommendations into several bursts of activity. You should be exercising most days of the week.

Weight-Loss Recommendations

If you're trying to lose weight, you'll probably need more exercise than someone who's just trying to stay healthy. The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that many people need as much as 300 minutes of exercise per week, or an hour of exercise five days per week. You'll lose weight more quickly with frequent, vigorous exercise.

Rest Days

Taking a day or two off per week can give your muscles time to recover, particularly if you're experiencing achy muscles due to delayed-onset muscle soreness. If you experience pain with your exercise routine, take a day off before returning to your workout. But you shouldn't be sedentary during your rest days. Instead, focus on staying generally active but avoiding strenuous exercise. Five days per week gives you the opportunity to get plenty of exercise while still resting your muscles.

General Activity Level

You don't have to do a specific exercise routine to get physical activity. Walking to a store from your car, playing with your dog and cleaning your house all burn calories and work your muscles. A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of early death, even if you get regular exercise. Adding more activity to your routine, even on days when you're not exercising, can help keep you healthy.

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