How Much Exercise Do You Really Need?
By Sara Butler
You know that you need to incorporate physical activity into your life, but do you actually know the specifics? It can be difficult to keep track of what you should be doing for your health since there are so many aspects to it, but learning what you need to do to get your body moving is simple. Here's a rundown of what the American Heart Association recommends adults get for physical activity.
How Long?
You need to dedicate at least 150 minutes every week to physical exercise. It is recommended that this activity is of moderate intensity, such as aerobic activities like walking or jogging, or you can do 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity -- maybe a combination of both! It's best to spread this out throughout your week into a few sessions. The good news is that is if you need to break it down into five 30-minute sessions or 30 15-minute sessions, then you can and the impact on your health stays the same.
Sit Less
Any activity that gets you up out of your chair and gets you moving is good for you. Sitting has been called the new smoking because of the detrimental impact it has on your overall health, so adopting a few simple habits that get you up throughout the day are crucial to staying healthy. Think about getting up at least once every hour at work and moving around or getting up during commercial breaks during the evening and walking in place. Even light-intensity movement has an important place!
Pump It Up
You can participate in aerobic activities that get your heart pumping, but it's important to strengthen the other muscles in your body too. That's why it's recommended that you integrate strength training into your workout sessions each week. This can help to improve your strength, of course, but also work to improve your balance and coordination -- important things as you get older.
Feel Better
Increased physical activity is linked to better memory, balance, cognitive ability, and sleep. Throw in healthy body weight and you'll find that getting your body moving is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and wellness. You'll look better but most importantly, you'll feel like a million bucks.
If you have questions about how much exercise you need, talk to the chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Englewood, Colo.