How does exercise help your health and physical fitness?
We all know, if only in the most general sense, that exercise is ‘good for us’, and should make you healthier and happier. You are probably also aware of the sedentary lifestyles many of us lead, not least given the various lockdowns. But would you be able to put your finger on exactly why does exercise help your health and physical fitness?
Indeed, people often ask us about this. So if you’re wondering, read on.
The Physical Benefits
In many ways, exercise is almost a miracle cure. It doesn’t have to be hard, comes in many forms, is immediately effective, and you don’t need a doctor’s prescription.
But the benefits to your body of exercising are actually quite tangible. Overall, physical activity can lessen your chances of premature death by nearly a third (up to 30%). What’s more, exercise also reduces your chances of serious problems including coronary heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes (thanks to probable reduced belly fat) and some kinds of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer. Among older adults, the risks of falling and hip fracture reduce, while you’re also less likely to experience osteoarthritis, since physical activity helps build strong muscles and bones. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also likely to decrease.
Given all the benefits, it seems a huge surprise that more of us aren’t taking our recommended dose.
The Mental Benefits
In terms of mental health, there’s also plenty of research to suggest physical activity enhances mood, self-esteem, energy and sleep quality. At the same time, you immediately bring down the risks of stress, clinical depression, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
That’s because exercise produces changes in brain areas regulating stress and anxiety. Equally, the brain becomes more sensitive to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which alleviate depressive feelings. And most of us know that activity releases endorphins which encourage positive moods. What’s more, the good news is that your mood can improve however intense your workout – it doesn’t have to be super-strenuous.
Research has even found that if you exercise regularly and then stop, feelings of depression and anxiety can return quickly.
Exercise also supports a healthy metabolism, burning more calories to maintain muscle mass and promote weight loss.
At the same time, you’re likely to feel your energy levels rise after a good workout.
Another thing you may not realise is that even moderate exercise provides antioxidant protection and promotes blood flow – to help protect your skin and hold off some of the signs of ageing.
So what counts as exercise?
Government guidelines recommend that adults should aim to be active daily and, through a variety of activities, undertake a minimum of 150 minutes’ physical activity in a week. Obviously, the more you do, the more you benefit. But for any kind of activity to have an impact, you need to feel your heart rate rise, feel warmer and be breathing more quickly.
How we can help
At re:sculpt, we can support you on your fitness journey, with extra guidance as required. We have access to a range of skilled and qualified professional personal trainers full of knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment.
Book your free consultation today so we can get to know you and what you need. Then you can meet your proposed trainer, ask them your questions and create a realistic training schedule together.
Give us a call – and start to feel all the benefits of exercise mentioned above.
Written by Becky Barrett.
Becky Barrett is an international talent manager and personal fitness coach with over 15 years’ professional experience and a 1st class Honours degree in Business & Law.
Driven by her unique values of compassion and a holistic approach to talent management, Becky has devised an innovative solution to take on the fitness industry with a brand-new personal fitness concept that aims to inspire and boost ‘new normal’ approaches to exercise routines.
Features include: Health & Wellbeing, Natural Health, Arden University, The Telegraph, BBC, Time & Leisure, Bdaily News, The Stage.