Regular physical activity is good for you for so many reasons. According to the Mayo Clinic, getting enough exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancers as well as improving your balance and even your mood. The best exercise routine is a varied one, so think about the activities you enjoy most and switch them up into daily and weekly workouts that you can rely on for years to come.
Cardio Focus
Aerobic activity is one of the most important components of a complete fitness plan. Besides helping the heart work more efficiently and helping you burn extra calories, aerobics are a great way to incorporate short bursts of vigorous exercise into an overall more moderate routine.
Aerobics can form the base of any good exercise plan as long as they are occasionally supplemented with strength training and flexibility and balance exercises. Choose an aerobic activity that appeals to you and that you can repeat often, such as biking, jogging or swimming. Walking is a natural choice because you can do it from anywhere, its risk of injury is very low and it naturally incorporates muscle stretching. According to the Cleveland Clinic, regular walking can boost the body's immune response and stimulate antibody and T-cell production.
Strength Focus
If you enjoy lifting weights or bulking up at the gym, you can use your strength focus to form the base of a well-rounded exercise plan that benefits all parts of your body. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, strength training is important to include in an exercise routine because it contributes to a lean body mass and better metabolism. Building and maintaining muscle tissue also encourages the body to burn more calories and guard against weight gain.
Most strength-focused exercises don't elevate your heart rate much, however, so it's key to balance them with activities that are more aerobic as well as activities that will stretch and relax muscles.
Flexibility Focus
Routines that focus on stretching, flexibility and relaxation are often neglected and are just as valuable as those that are more vigorous. If you prefer low-impact exercises, a regular self-guided yoga routine may be a good choice for you. According to the healthy-living resource HelpGuide.org, yoga is a very effective stress relief technique that also tones muscles and improves overall strength and flexibility, two significant components of a complete exercise routine.
To make your yoga practice more versatile, bookend it with short bursts of cardio activity, and work strength building exercises into your routine. Prevent injury by attending classes at a studio under a teacher's supervision or practicing with a friend and guiding each other's poses.
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