Really? The original piece (which apparently was popular enough to get the NYT devs to make an app) pushed the premise that 7 minutes could produce "molecular changes within muscles comparable to those of several hours of running or bike riding"
> The exercises should be performed in rapid succession, allowing 30 seconds for each, while, throughout, the intensity hovers at about an 8 on a discomfort scale of 1 to 10, Mr. Jordan says. Those seven minutes should be, in a word, unpleasant. The upside is, after seven minutes, you’re done.
The article was updated today (which is where I saw the app link) (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/the-advanced-7-minu...)...it talks about how the 7-minute workout is "not meant to be your sole exercise"...but that's out of concern that it "will become monotonous and demotivating"
The original study said the 7 minute routine should be repeated 2 to 3 times. It also listed a sample regimen which most people took too literally. You're supposed to vary the exercises and there are dozens of options. Johnson and Johnson have a really good app with lots of options.
People keep mentioning that the study says that the workout should be repeated 2-3 times but what it actually says is that the "Participants can repeat the 7-minute bout 2 to 3 times, depending on the amount of time they have." To me that implies that repeating 2-3 times is optional, and that once is enough to see results.
Also, as an aside, if you are repeating something 2-3 times, doesn't that mean you're doing it a total of 3-4 times?
Yes, this is correct. The study itself -- if not the NYT coverage of it -- mentions the workout is designed for people with sedentary lives and it should be repeated 2-3 times to see results in people in better physical condition.
