What exercise is best?
There are 3 types of exercise that offer amazing health benefits and I would encourage you to include each type of exercise at least once a week if you want to improve your overall fitness and health.
Cardio: Anything that raises your heart rate, gets you breathing fast and makes you sweat is cardio training:
Some examples:
· Running
· Cycling
· Swimming
· Fast walking
· Aerobics
· Dancing
· Skipping
This form of exercise conditions your heart and lungs, burns calories, boosts mood, improves the health of your blood vessels and enhances sleep quality.
Strength training: Also known as resistance training… this form of exercise stresses your large muscles so they become stronger. These types of exercise give you that satisfying burn, and often cause stiffness a couple of days later – this is a great sign that you have worked your muscles well!
Examples of strength exercises:
· Weight training
· Resistance bands
· Squats, lunges, sit-ups, press-ups and other body weight exercises
· Suspension training
Strength training is probably the most beneficial type of exercise for health. Benefits of regular strength training include:
· Increased basal metabolism
· Weight loss
· Less abdominal (dangerous) fat
· Better glucose metabolism
· Stronger bones
· Fewer injuries
· Lower risk of dementia
· Better mood
· Aesthetic changes – toned muscles look great!
If you are new to strength training – it is a good idea to start with basic functional movements and build up your strength over time.
Flexibility: Stretching is probably the most neglected type of exercise, but if you include a few minutes of stretching per week you can benefit from:
· Up to 20% increase in your basal metabolic rate (and weight loss)
· Better joint health and mobility
· Reduced joint and muscle pain, especially if you stretch after other types of training
Okay, I know… not everyone has time to for all types of exercise everyday. So, what’s the BEST type of exercise to do?
The BEST exercise is something you enjoy and that makes you happy. That way, it will not feel like a chore and you will naturally make it part of your routine. Any physical activity is good for you!