A new study based on data from the U.K. Biobank has found that men may need significantly more weekly exercise than women to achieve comparable reductions in heart‑disease risk—a finding that could have major implications for men’s health and fitness guidance in the United States.
The research, which analyzed physical‑activity data from more than 400,000 adults over several years, found a clear sex‑based difference in the relationship between exercise volume and heart‑disease prevention. Women who accumulated around 250 minutes of moderate‑to‑vigorous activity each week saw a roughly 30 percent reduction in coronary‑heart‑disease risk. Men, on the other hand, needed approximately 530 minutes of similar activity per week—nearly double the amount—to achieve the same level of protection.
The findings, published in late 2025 and reported by Tom’s Guide, underscore that while regular exercise benefits everyone, the dose‑response relationship between physical activity and heart health may not be identical between men and women. Researchers suggest biological differences such as hormone levels, fat distribution, and cardiovascular adaptation may influence how the body responds to exercise stimuli.
For cardiologists and public‑health experts, the message is not that men should simply work out twice as much, but that they should understand the nuances of exercise volume, intensity, and type. “Men often focus on strength training and short bursts of activity, but cardiovascular conditioning through sustained aerobic exercise appears to play a particularly critical role,” one cardiologist noted. Sustained sessions of brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming may be more beneficial for heart‑disease prevention in men than previously assumed.
Experts also caution against viewing the study as a one‑size‑fits‑all prescription. Heart health is multifactorial—diet, stress management, sleep, and genetics all contribute to cardiovascular outcomes. Men who already maintain active lifestyles may not need to drastically increase exercise duration if they engage in higher‑intensity workouts or maintain balanced routines that include both endurance and resistance training.
The study comes at a time when cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among men in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four male deaths each year is attributable to heart disease. Despite decades of awareness campaigns, many men underestimate their risk or overestimate the protection they receive from modest levels of physical activity.
In the context of U.S. health trends, the implications are significant. As men increasingly adopt fitness technologies such as smartwatches and activity trackers, individualized data could help tailor exercise recommendations. Rather than adhering to minimum guidelines of 150 minutes per week, men may benefit from personalized targets that consider both volume and heart‑rate intensity zones.
Additionally, the study reinforces the importance of integrating complementary training modes. Strength training—while excellent for musculoskeletal and metabolic health—should be paired with regular aerobic conditioning. Mobility and flexibility work can also reduce injury risk and support the cardiovascular benefits of endurance training by promoting recovery and joint health.
Lifestyle factors remain equally crucial. Nutrition plays a direct role in cardiovascular outcomes, with diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats supporting arterial health. Adequate sleep and effective stress management help regulate blood pressure and inflammation—two drivers of heart‑disease progression.
Ultimately, the takeaway from this research is not to discourage men, but to motivate them to take a strategic approach to their health routines. Cardiologists emphasize consistency and balance over sheer volume. Even if 530 minutes per week sounds daunting, gradually increasing aerobic exercise and combining it with strength work can produce meaningful benefits over time.
As men continue to live longer, managing cardiovascular risk through effective exercise strategies becomes increasingly essential. This study provides valuable insight for tailoring fitness recommendations in a more personalized and evidence‑based manner—one that acknowledges that men and women may not benefit equally from identical exercise regimens, but both can achieve optimal heart health through mindful, sustained effort.