Types of exercise
We recommend these types of exercise:
Aerobic Exercises
Aerobic exercise improves heart and lung function. Examples: walking, swimming, running, biking, dancing, hiking.
How it helps:
- Lowers cholesterol (fats in the blood) and blood pressure
- More endurance (you can go longer without getting tired)
- A lower resting heart rate (your heart is stronger and doesn’t need to pump as often)
- Weight loss or weight maintenance (you burn more calories, even when resting)
- Stress relief (works off stress hormones)
- Better Sleep (you put your body through work and it has to recover)
Strength/Resistance Exercises
Examples: Weight machines/free weights, exercise/stability balls, kettle bells, hand weights or resistance bands, and activities like Pilates.
How it helps:
- Keep bones strong
- Helps prevent insures
- Makes activities of daily living easier
- Bumps up your calorie burn (metabolism)
Flexibility (stretching) exercises
Examples: Yoga, tai chi, and simple floor stretches are all good options.
How it helps:
- Helps to stay pain free.
- Maintains range of motion.