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Movement & Strength

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

The official U.S. guidance on how much activity, including muscle-strengthening work, adults should aim for each week. The 2nd edition (2018) is still the current version as of September 2026.

By the glp1.how editorial teamReviewed 1 min read

What the guidelines say

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are the U.S. government's official, evidence-based recommendations for how much adults should move. The current version is the 2nd edition, published in 2018, and it was still current as of September 2026 (ODPHP (external link)). For adults, it recommends 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity), plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days a week that works all the major muscle groups.

How to use them on a GLP-1

They're a useful, non-commercial reference point if you're building a strength-training habit alongside a GLP-1 (see Why strength training matters on a GLP-1). The companion "Move Your Way" campaign breaks the guidance into plain-language steps for getting started.

This summarizes official U.S. government guidance; it is general education, not medical advice. General guidelines aren't a personal exercise plan, so talk with your clinician or a qualified trainer about what's right for you.

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Evidence

The source behind this article, labeled by type and strength.

Supporting1

  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (external link)

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018 · Clinical guideline · Moderate evidence

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018)

    Official U.S. guidance: adults should do 150–300 minutes/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (or 75–150 vigorous) plus muscle-strengthening activity of at least moderate intensity involving all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week.

Revision history

Updated 1 time since Sep 2, 2026 · show changes
  1. v2

    Summary rewritten; Body revised

  2. v1

    Change tracking began

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