Is Exercise Essential? What can Exercise do for me?

As a fitness educator, I enjoy sharing how regular exercise and physical activity improves life, fitness, and overall health. To make it super easy for you to learn of the many ways in which regular movement is beneficial, and therefore, essential, I’ve compiled a short list.

Print out this page and tape it to your refrigerator door. Make copies and send to your friends. Share the information with your mother, your brother, your new girlfriend. Maybe your boss needs a copy, too, especially if they tend to be crabby…yes, regular exercise certainly improves mood, even after just one hour. Maybe you are the boss, and you’ve noticed you’re crabby and you aren’t sure why. Exercise can help. It’s my sincere wish that you embrace a routine of exercise as a well-proven way to take control of your physical body and wellness, now and for your many future years. Best of health to you.

Regular exercise, including aerobic, strength, and resistance training, is great for…

Lowering blood pressure

Maintaining weight

Building muscle mass

Improving bone density

Improving overall bone health

Improving cognitive function

Better sex

Protecting against heart disease

Protecting against cancer

Protecting against diabesity

Combating chronic inflammation

Improving mood

Protecting against falls related to balance

Reducing anxiety and depression

Creating better balance

Protecting against small vessel disease

Improving antioxidant defenses (in the elderly)

Greater ease with household chores

Greater ease with work-related function

Socializing when with an exercise group

Improving metabolic markers

Enhancing joint stability        

Increasing range of motion at the joints

Improving lung function

Enhancing sleep

Preserving muscle strength and function, and is more beneficial than a high protein diet (in older women)