Some of us know that we need to be more physically active. We know that we need to get out more often and start running, or going to the gym, or hit the road with our bikes, yet most of us never do it. Knowing why exercise is really good for us may give us motivation to do it.
When we do activities that enhance or maintain our physical fitness and body health, then we are doing exercises. Aside from enhancing physical fitness, exercise plays a major role in maintaining a healthy weight, ensuring proper bone density and muscular strength, flexibility and overall feelings of well being. Someone who is physically fit is less prone to injuries and is able to accomplish more home and office work without feeling fatigued at the end of the day.
There are three major exercise categories. One is called flexibility exercises such as stretching and they help a lot in maintaining proper joint motion as well as muscular flex. Aerobic exercises include activities such as running, swimming and biking. They help improve oxygen consumption in the body and has been linked to prevention of lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, diabetes, depression and insomnia. The last category of physical activity is called anaerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercises strengthen the lung muscles thus maximizing the flow of air going in and outside the lungs. It also strengthens the heart, improving its pumping efficiency and reduces the pumping rate of the heart. Other proven benefits of aerobic exercises include better blood circulation and increased red blood cell counts, improved muscle tone and strength, and increased feelings of well being.
Anaerobic exercises are commonly carried out by strength training and weight lifting. These are the types of exercises that are used by body builders and weight lifters. The most obvious benefits of anaerobic exercises are increased strength and increased basal metabolic rate. For people who need to reduce weight, the right type of exercise for them is some form of anaerobic training because the expected build-up of muscle mass increases basal metabolic rate, hence increases the ability of the body to utilize energy and not store them as fat.
So, what are you waiting for? Get up, turn the computer off and start exercising. You will become a healthier and happier person and you will become more productive at work and at home. Exercise may be the only key to make you start feeling more active and fit again.
