And beyond that, the 7 minute workout is mostly useless. Go to the gym and lift weights 3-4 times a week (and then lift heavier ones the next time, repeat). It's not complicated.
Some research is pointing that, for some proportion of the population, short bursts (i.e. a few minutes) of very intense activity is either as effective or more effective than long periods spent in the gym etc.
The big caveat seems to be that response to a) HIT exercise or, b) hours at the gym in general, has a genetic component to it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17177251
Too early to tell I guess, but it'd be really interesting to read some meta-analysis on this stuff.
If anything it is good because it gets you started. Start doing these 7 min a day workouts and eventually you work your way up and are at the gym doing full workouts.
Maybe we need a name for it. Are there any modern technological paradigms that involve close-cropped beards rather than the flowing Unix beard?
I am on the crazy side of the spectrum, currently training 10+ hours a week to do triathlon + powerlifting, but I think a more sane person could get a huge benefit in maybe 5 hours a week. 7 minutes will do something, but I would love to see any 7 minute a day workouter in as good of shape as a 5+ hour workouter.
I do disagree that the ideal workout is go to the gym and lift weights 3-4 times a week. Gym is good, weights is good (I do them), but cardio is also super good. Most studies about exercise makes your memory x% better, or exercise makes you live y% longer are about cardio.
Ways to try and get both?
a) 4 days of 1 hour of crossfit type exercise would work (not my preference) or b) 2 days of weights for about an hour, 2 days of cardio for about an hour, and a decent amount of walking on off days.
Is there any evidence that it can?
As long as I eat and sleep enough I feel awesome and have tons of energy and mentally I feel better. In fact, I felt better mentally and physically when I started doing 2 a day workouts.
Everyone thinks I'm insane and say it's not possible without drugs. At first it might make you feel a little drained, but you build up to it over time if you stick with it.
The human body is capable of amazing things. You don't have to treat it like a thin shelled egg when it comes to exercise.
The process by which you do this is important, by the way. Don't lounge on the internet looking for the most feel-good workout that talks about your chakras, alignment, and generally promises returns for no work. Do collect a grab-bag of activities (weight lifting, soccer, rock climbing...) and try one for 1-2 weeks as if you were serious about it. Then see how you feel about it, and if you don't like it after a few weeks try the next thing.