Is doing very hard exercise quickly much different than soft exercise for a longer time?

I'm in the Army National Guard and for our physical training test we do as many pushups as we can in 2 minutes, then situps in 2 min and run 2 miles as fast as possible. I would like to keep in shape but I keep hearing about 30 minutes of exercise per day - every other day or so I do situps and pushups to the point of muscle failure (about 70 and 90 respectively), then the remaining days I run 1-2 miles as fast as I can (about 14-16 min 2 mile).

Am I wasting my time by pushing myself like this? Is it better to just jog lightly or ride a bike or something?

For what it's worth I'm 24 and about 5'8" 170lbs

Do not push yourself this hard everyday because you will burn out. Do hard days mixed in with lighter days. Your body needs to recuperate after you go max like that and if you do not get the needed rest then you will not progress. On lighter days run a bit slower but for a longer period of time and do about 75% of your max situps and pushups but do 2 sets. Keep track of what you do. On your lighter days slowly ramp up what you do, meaning increase your pushups and situps by 1 rep each workout. Never go all out more than once per week like when you are tested in the Guard. This should help you. By doing these light days and by slowing ramping up what you do on your light days you will blow your previous bests that you had attained on your hard day when they test you. It works awesome for me.

You could walk and still get the benefits of exercise. However, to burn more calories quicker, running would do it (or anything else that gets the heart pumping faster). You are not wasting your time but be careful not to over exert yourself too much or you could be setting yourself up for injury. You have a decent pace for running 2 miles. Good job!

Tags

Pit Bike Dirt Bike Sport Bike Street Bike Exercise Bike Stationary Bike Recumbent Bike Bmx Bike Kids Bike Schwinn Bike

Related information

How to encourage 13yr old physically lazy girl into exercise? Follow up from mother.?

What is the best exercise for developing pecs?

How can I lose weight without exercise or little exercise.?

Looking for an exercise routine?

Should all new houses have an exercise room built in? other than pure egotism, why does....?

Is this enough exercise, what else can I do?

Why does my face get so red when I exercise?

I need surgestions for my diet and exercise plan (For teen girl)?