Many people struggle to do the recommended amount of exercise each week. But research suggests even a small amount has powerful effects.

There’s no question that exercise is good for the heart. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

But sometimes it can be hard to find the time (and motivation) to exercise. So, what’s the least amount of exercise you can get away with doing while still seeing these benefits? That answer depends on how fit you are to begin with.

Here’s some good news: the lower your starting point is in terms of fitness, the less you have to do to see a benefit.