Adding Exercise to Your Life

Getting exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are many different types of exercise that you can do, each of which is can be beneficial to your body in a different way.

How Exercise Benefits the Body

Exercise is essentially movement using certain muscle groups. By this definition just about any sort of activity can be considered exercise. Muscles require energy to move them and so the body focuses on using its energy to help the muscles. For instance the heart pumps faster in order to get blood to the muscles faster. The more your muscles and body work to keep going the stronger they become.

There are many benefits to exercising, such as increased energy, weight loss, and even reducing the risk for certain diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. Exercise is very important, especially given the sedentary lifestyle that most Americans tend to lead.

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, exercise must be added to your daily routines. Exercise burns calories which in turn can mean stored fat if you are burning more calories a day than you are consuming. However, if you are starting any exercise regimen it is important that you are still getting enough calories each day to sustain your body’s functions. A healthy diet combined with a varied exercise regimen is a surefire formula for successful weight loss and maintenance.

Types of Exercise

There are many different types of exercise, such as running, biking, aerobic classes, yoga, and walking. Many people argue on the best type of exercise, for instance running may get your heart rate going but it can also be very hard on your joints. The best strategy for incorporating beneficial exercise into your lifestyle is to do a variety of exercises. For instance a good exercise regimen will include both cardio (biking, swimming, running) with weight training.

Before you begin any new exercise regimen it is very important that you consult your doctor beforehand and start off very slowly. It can take some time for your body to get used to exercising and sports injuries are very common. Stretching the muscles that will be used beforehand is a great way to avoid injuries and warm the muscles up before engaging them in strenuous exercise.

Learn about Pilates

Pilates is a type of exercise that has seen great popularity in recent years. Pilates was created by Joseph H Pilates in the early 1900s. Pilates was first done using a series of machines that are designed to stretch the body in certain ways. Pilates can also be done without the help of any machines with the use of only a floor mat. Pilates often focuses on the “core” muscles which are around your midsection. Pilates aims to tone and strengthen the body’s muscles without adding bulk.

Anyone can practice Pilates since it is low impact and gentle on the body. Even pregnant women can typically practice some form of Pilates, although they should do so under strict supervision. Pilates can be done anywhere from an expensive studio with all the machines to a fitness class using only a floor mat, or even in your home. Pilates is very versatile and can be modifying to fit into almost everyone’s fitness levels.

There are many benefits to Pilates since it is such a low impact workout. Pilates works to strengthen your body’s muscles, particularly your core muscles. These primarily include your abs and back, as well as your legs in some moves. Pilates can help to align your body and make the body lithe and flexible. Pilates also helps you to learn to breathe full breathes and can be very relaxing, despite the often intense workout your muscles are getting. Regardless of your fitness level, it is important that you take any Pilates instructions very seriously and follow them exactly. Proper form is vital in a successful Pilates practice.

If you are new to Pilates getting a good understanding of how it works and what benefits you can expect to see are very important. If you belong to a gym or health club, most offer some type of Pilates class or private instruction. Getting instruction from an experienced instructor is important since the positioning of the body is very important in Pilates. If you prefer to do your Pilates practice at home there are hundreds of videos you can buy or rent that show a complete Pilates workout. Always start with a beginner Pilates workout even if you feel you have a more advanced fitness level since Pilates can often work muscles that you may not be used to. Be careful and gentle with your body. You should also remember to always discuss any new fitness regimen with your doctor before beginning.