The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends performing 20 to 60 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise or multiple sessions of short duration (approximately 10 minutes) for three to five sessions per week. For individuals just starting an exercise program, a circuit training program is effective.

Aerobic exercise can be monitored using an individual's maximal heart rate (MHR) or rating of perceived exertion (RPE). MHR for individuals with SCI may be lower than for individuals without SCI while RPE should provide an accurate measure. See NCHPAD's general exercise factsheet for more information.