There is always a specific go-to when it comes to combatting or maintaining any aspect of your health. In this instance, we’re talking about heart health. What are the best and most beneficial exercises for maintaining good heart health and how long should we be exercising for?
Let’s break down these beneficial exercises and how they’ll benefit you.
1. Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercises can improve circulation and result in lowered blood pressure and heart rate. For at least 30 minutes a day five days a week, you might want to engage in some brisk walking, running, cycling, etc. Basically anything of the sort that really gets the blood pumping! These kinds of exercises can also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and, if you already have diabetes, it helps you control your blood glucose.
2. Resistance Training
Resistance training mainly affects body composition. This is great for people who are carrying a lot of excess fat, especially around their belly area. These kinds of exercises help reduce fat and increase muscle mass, and a good combo of resistance training aerobic exercise can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Typically, two nonconsecutive days per week of resistance training is best and it’s as simple as adding two free weights to your exercise routine or working with resistance machines.
3. Stretching, Flexibility, Balance
Stretching, flexibility, and balance don’t directly benefit heart health, but they do benefit musculoskeletal health, which ensures that you’re able to maintain your aerobic and resistance exercises. It’s best to do this every day and before/after exercising. These are super easy to do at any time right at home, such as simple yoga or tai chi.
Engaging in all of this on an active and regular basis will ensure your heart is ready to go and take on every single day!
~ Shelly