If you’ve ever asked yourself that question…this is the blog for you! Whatever motivates you to exercise is a good reason! Look through this list and see how many of these benefits sound attractive to YOU! If you can find even one benefit on this list, you have enough reason to start an exercise program, or continue one, to improve your health and more!
Benefits of Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk Factors:
Regular exercise can:
➢ Reduce body fat and improve weight control.
➢ Improve your body’s ability to maximally uptake oxygen and deliver oxygen to your working muscles (defined as your VO2 Max). This measure is generally regarded as the best measure of your physical fitness level.
➢ Lower your resting heart rate, by allowing your heart to pump more blood per beat. This means your heart is not working as hard when you are at rest.
➢ Lower or help control your blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. This is especially important for people with high blood pressure.
➢ Lower your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is the ratio of body weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters squared). Increased BMI is associated with an increase in mortality.
➢ Reduce total cholesterol. This includes lowering LDL-the bad type of cholesterol, and increasing HDL-the good type of cholesterol.
➢ Reduce circulating levels of triglycerides. This is the amount of free fatty acids found in the blood.
➢ Improve the functioning of your immune system, which can reap rewards from getting fewer colds to preventing cancer.
➢ Reduce the risk of heart disease.
➢ Increase insulin sensitivity to help prevent against type II diabetes.
➢ Reduce the risk of having a stroke.
Benefits of Exercise for the Aging Process and Functional Capacity:
Regular exercise can:
➢ Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints.
➢ Increase lean body mass (muscle mass).
➢ Increase your level of muscular strength.
➢ Increase the strength of tendons and ligaments.
➢ Increase your stamina and ability to do continuous work.
➢ Increase or maintain your bone mineral density to help prevent osteoporosis.
➢ Increase muscular endurance.
➢ Improve flexibility.
➢ Help you maintain or increase your resting metabolic rate to help prevent weight gain.
➢ Provide protection against injury.
➢ Maintain or improve joint integrity.
➢ Help you to maintain an independent lifestyle.
➢ Improve your balance and coordination.
➢ Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
➢ Reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
➢ Reduce the risk of premature death.
Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health and Well-Being:
Regular exercise can:
➢ Reduce your level of anxiety.
➢ Help you manage stress more effectively.
➢ Help reduce tension.
➢ Help alleviate depression.
➢ Improve your appearance.
➢ Improve your positive self-esteem and confidence.
➢ Combat the likelihood of many degenerative problems.
➢ Teach you about goal-setting and dedication.
➢ Assist in efforts to stop smoking.
➢ Help to relieve and prevent migraine headache attacks.
➢ Improve the quality of sleep.
➢ Help improve your immune system.
➢ Improve your overall quality of life.
“The biggest risk to exercise is not starting!”
Why do you exercise? Let us know!
