There are a number of good reasons for people to stay physically active.
The health benefits of exercise include physical and emotional benefits, which is why the answer to the question, “Why should people exercise?” is one that is multifaceted.
Getting regular exercise is a great way to lower the risk of a number of ailments, including heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular exercise helps to keep the heart-healthy. It can help to bring blood pressure down to a normal range.
Exercise is a natural stress buster as well.
Spending some time in enjoyable physical activity changes your focus and is a well-deserved break from your regular routine.
To get more out of your workouts, go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.
What Are the Physical Benefits of Exercise?
Regular exercise not only strengthens the heart, but it also helps to burn fat and build lean muscle mass. A person who is interested in losing weight and keeping it off should make a point of including exercise in his or her daily routine.
Getting physical and keeping the heart rate up for a time helps the body to burn fat, which is essential for weight loss.
Exercise also helps the body to build muscle. Why is having more lean muscle important for people who want to get to or maintain a healthy weight? A pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat, even when the body is at rest.
Muscle also weighs more than fat, which means that a person who has increased his or her level of physical activity may not see the number on the scale go down right away (they may even see it go up for a time).
Engaging in some weight-bearing exercise regularly can help to prevent osteoporosis, which is a leading cause of broken bones in older adults. Going for a walk or a jog regularly can help to keep joints healthy and limber; even walking or running on a treadmill can help to improve joint health.
Get More Out of Your Exercises. Go PRO!
Sign Up
What Are the Emotional Benefits of Exercise?
Along with the physical benefits of exercise come some important mental ones. When a person gets his or her heart rate up, the body is flooded with endorphins. These are hormones that act to make the participant feel good.
The person who is exercising will experience an elevation in his or her mood after exercise that will last for some time. Regular exercise can play a part in helping to treat the hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness that are symptomatic of depression as well.
Continuing to exercise regularly means that the participant continues to experience this improved outlook on life. The stresses that are part of everyday life seem less daunting for a person who is getting physical on a regular basis.
How Does Discipline Impact Exercise?
Getting fit is not something that happens overnight and it takes dedication to stick with it. After a workout, it’s normal to have tired muscles that are a bit sore. Being in pain, however, is not normal and is a sign of pushing too hard.
For a person to get the benefits that an active lifestyle can bring, he or she needs to stick with a well-designed workout program. Aside from having to deal with some physical discomfort at first, there is the risk of losing motivation if you become bored.
The ability to set a goal of getting fit and then doing what is required to make it a reality takes discipline and this is another positive aspect of getting exercise.
To lower the likelihood of giving up on exercise, have a plan for staying motivated. Having someone to work out with is a good way for both people to stay on track since they can help to encourage each other.
Scheduling a few sessions with a personal trainer can help a person who is new to exercising at a gym learn how to use the equipment properly and gives the participant someone to lean on for support.
Exercise is a great way to burn fat and gain lean muscle and is a natural mood stabilizer. Any activity that raises the heart rate can provide a health benefit, so think of ways to mix up your routine to avoid becoming bored.
Sign up for a PRO plan today for access to workout plans, goal trackers, and more so that you can stay motivated and strong.