A new study suggests that a once-weekly workout may burn nearly as much belly fat as exercising three times a week. The finding points to exercise frequency as a less important factor than many people assume, especially when the goal is reducing abdominal fat.

The idea is notable because many fitness plans emphasize spreading workouts across several days. This research, however, indicates that one larger weekly session could deliver similar fat-burning results to multiple shorter sessions during the same week.

That does not mean overall activity no longer matters. Health agencies such as the CDC still recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, along with two muscle-strengthening sessions. The study adds to the discussion by suggesting that how those minutes are arranged may be more flexible than expected.

For people with busy schedules, the results may offer a more realistic path to staying active. While a once-weekly routine may not replace broader fitness habits, the research suggests that even a limited exercise schedule could still help with belly fat when compared with doing nothing at all.