Doctors have said that if exercise was a pill, it would be the most commonly prescribed drug in the world. Exercise is a natural tonic, which can provide a whole host of health benefits. These days, you can’t move for news headlines or magazine articles extolling the advantages of an active lifestyle, but just why is everyone raving about exercise? If you haven’t discovered the benefits of regular workouts yet, here’s a guide to give you inspiration.
Reducing the risk of life-threatening illnesses
Physical activity is proven to lower the risk of several potentially life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer. Research suggests that undertaking frequent exercise can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50% and the risk of premature death by over 30%.
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of developing a severe health condition, but the reality is that it’s never too early to focus on prevention. Being more active now will benefit you later in life.
Improving strength and stamina
We don’t need to run marathons or carry incredibly heavy weights around on a daily basis, but it’s beneficial to have a level of general fitness and strength. If you struggle to run for a bus, you get out of breath walking up the stairs, or you find it difficult to carry your bags of groceries, increasing your activity levels will have a positive impact. Regular physical activity increases your endurance and strength to enable you to go about your daily business without any problems. As you get stronger and fitter, you’ll also start to notice additional benefits of training, including a lower resting heart rate, faster recovery after exercise, stronger bones and joints, and increased muscle definition.
Increasing suppleness, flexibility, and mobility
Most of us long to be mobile and free from joint pain for as long as possible. The good news is that doing exercise on a regular basis can help you to stay supple and improve mobility. It’s particularly important to stretch frequently and to learn how to engage your core properly. Your core muscles are involved in almost every movement you make, so strengthening the muscles in this region will work wonders for your flexibility and mobility as you get older. To engage your core, brace your body as if somebody was about to punch you in the abdomen, bringing your belly button up and in. There are several types of exercise you can do to develop your core muscles, including planks, mountain climbers, and sit-ups. Exercises that are most beneficial for keeping the joints supple and loose include yoga and Pilates.
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Reducing the risk of injuries and osteoporosis
Undertaking regular exercise can expose you to a risk of injuries, especially if you don’t have the right technique, but it can also condition your body. When you train, you build muscle mass, and you strengthen your bones and joints. Bone mass is critical as you age and you lose bone tissue, and exercise is particularly beneficial for those at risk of osteoporosis.
Improving mental health
Have you ever noticed that even after the most grueling workout, you feel incredible about 20 minutes later? When you move your body, a series of reactions is triggered, which results in a natural high. Your body releases endorphins, also known as happy hormones, and the levels of serotonin and dopamine increase in your brain. Exercise makes you feel fabulous, and it can also reduce stress, clear your mind, and provide a distraction from work, family or money worries. People who exercise regularly are less likely to develop anxiety and depression. Being active can also help to alleviate or reduce the severity of symptoms in people who have existing mental health conditions. It can also help you feel more motivated to make other important changes in your life, such as finding a new job, trying a new hobby, or talking to an expert about how much braces cost.
Maintaining a healthy BMI
Your BMI, or body mass index, is calculated using your height and your weight. If you’re overweight or obese, bringing your BMI down to a healthy level will lower your risk of health complications, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the simplest terms, weight loss boils down to using more fuel than you take on board. If you consume more calories than you burn, this will contribute to weight gain. Increasing your activity levels and keeping an eye on your calorie intake should enable you to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.
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Tips for getting into exercise
For anyone who isn’t used to exercise, the thought of going to the gym or putting on running gear may be daunting. The best approach to take is that everyone has to start as a beginner. Focus on the benefits you’re going to enjoy, and try not to worry about what other people are doing or what they might think of you. If you’re self-conscious, there are plenty of activities you can try alone, you can work out at home, or you could take a friend with you. Start slow and aim for gradual progress. Go from walking to jogging, increase the intensity of sessions, and vary your workouts as you get fitter and stronger. Doing the same thing all the time can get repetitive and boring, and you might find that discover some activities that are fun and enjoyable. Dance, climb, skate, bounce, walk, run, cycle or swim. If you’re having fun, you’re much more likely to stick to a fitness program and reap the rewards.
Many of us have a mental battle when it comes to working out. It’s hard to muster up the energy to work out sometimes. The key to getting into exercise is making it a part of your weekly routine and focusing on the way you feel afterwards, rather than the discomfort you endure during a session.
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If you don’t have that much time because of your busy schedule and work life, you can also try different alternatives to workouts like Emsculpt. This treatment works your muscles at 100 percent capacity, allowing you to receive an intensive workout without any extra effort and zero downtime.
You only have to pick up a magazine to see that everyone is raving about exercise. With inactivity levels at a record high and thousands of lives lost to preventable illnesses every year, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon and get your body moving! It won’t take long for you to realize the difference being more active can make to your health and wellbeing.
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