> such an important point here. The benefits of exercise are maximum when you start from a sedentary life. You will hit plateau at some point and then one has to re-think the plan.

I'd bet that by the time they end up hitting that plateau it'll be a lot easier for someone who has been sedentary to up their game than it would have been if they'd started a more difficult and time consuming workout from the start. Easing into being more active seems like a really good thing and one that might make it easier for someone to start exercising and stay with it long term.