# Aerobic exercise for depression?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [November 21, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520 "2019-11-21T19:00:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cshadyp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/cshadyp/32/937_2.png) [@cshadyp](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/cshadyp)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520/1 "2019-11-21T19:00:35Z")

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I’m doing a hypertrophy program, 5 days per week, and I wanted to add at least a day of cardio per week (30 min.).

1. Does the evidence for cardio’s anti-depressant effects look good?
2. Will this affect my gainz?
3. Does strengthening the heart and improving lung capacity have other health benefits apart from strength training?

Thank you for your help.

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520/2 "2019-11-22T01:13:18Z")

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1. Yes
2. It depends on how much you do, but a) starting with a low and gradually progressing it should minimize effects, and b) potential improvements in depression probably outweigh any small impact on your strength gains.
3. Of course.

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**Author:** ![cshadyp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/cshadyp/32/937_2.png) [@cshadyp](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/cshadyp)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2019, 1:59am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520/3 "2019-11-22T01:59:32Z")

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How often do you recommend doing cardio for health? Every day for 30 minutes as a rule of thumb?

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/aerobic-exercise-for-depression/7520/4 "2019-11-22T17:55:32Z")

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> [@cshadyp](#):
>
> How often do you recommend doing cardio for health? Every day for 30 minutes as a rule of thumb?

> **[Physical\_Activity\_Guidelines\_2nd\_edition.pdf](https://odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf)**
>
> 14.65 MB