Benefits of Exercise

Exercise can offer physical health improvements while encouraging weight loss. These benefits can be found inside a gym or through regular physical activity. Exercise can include any form of movement that targets muscles and enhances blood flow.

There are three primary forms of exercise:

• Cardiovascular activity: Also known as aerobic activity, this includes exercises like walking, running, swimming and bike riding. Cardiovascular activities are especially great for heart health.
• Strength-training activity: This is sometimes referred to as muscle-building activity and includes body weight activities like push-ups, as well as weight lifting. These activities promote muscle and joint health.
• Stretching and flexibility training: Whether included with cardiovascular and strength-training programs or completed on its own, this training method is great for stress management, heart health and tension relief. Pilates and yoga are common forms of flexibility training.

Health Benefits of Exercise

Exercise provides a series of health benefits. Along with reducing risk for type-2 diabetes, some types of cancer and heart disease, exercise also helps prevent bone loss and lowers the risk of stroke.

Exercise also improves mental well-being by:

• Improving mood
• Decreasing stress
• Promoting better sleep
• Boosting self-confidence
• Increasing cognitive clarity
• Boosting memory

Regular exercise is associated with improved heart health as well, which is why the American Heart Association recommends every person exercise for 30 minutes at least five days a week. Exercising regularly can also strengthen muscles and joints, and will contribute to a longer, healthier lifespan.

When you work out, you burn calories, and this helps you lose weight. Exercising regularly is associated with improved weight management efforts, and is often encouraged during anti-aging therapy as a method for reducing stress, increasing energy levels and improving general well-being.

Exercise has been shown to reduce stiffness, improve joint mobility and strengthen muscles and connective tissues surrounding problem areas. Issues like lower back pain, osteoarthritis and chronic pain from injury are often improved through regular low-intensity exercise.

If you suffer from chronic pain, you’ll need to consult with your doctor to find the best exercises for your specific pain issue.