Trying to balance life and health can be difficult, especially in this day and age. Balancing healthy eating, work, children, and a social life may seem to be an impossible feat sometimes. The easiest way to ensure that appropriate amounts and types of exercise are achieved is to employ a weekly exercise routine. This will inevitably lead to the question, “which exercise routine is best for you?” An ideal exercise routine will involve both aerobic exercise, to promote cardiovascular health, as well as exercises that promote muscle and bone health.
Cardiovascular Health Starts With Moving.
Aerobic exercise is categorized by actions and movements that elevate heart rate and blood flow to the extremities. These types of exercise are essential for heart health, and in turn, overall health and development. After all, the heart is necessary for all other bodily functions. Some of the most commonly recommended cardiovascular exercises include:
- Running, brisk walking, or jogging.
- Jumping jacks.
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Jumping rope
Essentially any type of movement that leads to heart-pumping is important. There are many more exercises that can promote heart health as well, but the ones listed above are simply the easiest to begin doing right away with no or low costs associated. Here is a great resource for information regarding aerobic exercise and stretching.
Muscle And Bone Health Begins With Lifting Weight.
Lifting weights, or resistance training as it is commonly referred to, are vital for maintaining muscle, joint, and bone health. Lifting weights leads to improved muscle tone, weight loss, and improved joint strength. There are many levels and intensities of strength training, making it easy to begin slowly and increase intensity over time. This article explains how lifting weights is beneficial for joint health and pain. Some common examples of resistance training include:
- Lifting dumbbells or free weights
- Bench pressing weight bars
- Using leg press machines
- Utilizing leg or arm weights while jogging or running
With all of this information, it becomes easy to create a repeatable routine. Try alternating exercises daily, for example, aerobic for two days in a row, followed by a resistance training day, followed by a day of rest. Varying exercises and intensities are beneficial so that muscles do not become accustomed to the same workout daily.