Exercise and Physical Fitness
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What are the basics of exercise and physical fitness? Exercise is anything that gets your body moving. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. It has many benefits , including improving your overall health and fitness, and reducing your risk for many chronic (long-term) diseases. Every physical fitness routine is built on a few simple ideas. These include: Make exercise a habit, as your body adapts to the type of activity you do most often. Regular practice will help you improve. Build up your activity level slowly to help you continue to get stronger, faster, or more flexible without pushing too hard all at once. Challenge yourself by lifting slightly heavier weights, adding a few more minutes to your walk, or increasing your pace. Mix up your workouts to keep things interesting and help prevent injuries or burnout. Show up regularly, even for short sessions, to help you continue to make progress. What are the different types of exercise? There are many different types of exercise. Before you start, check with your health care provider, especially if you have trouble moving, balancing, or worry that exercise might not be safe for you. A few main types of exercise include: Aerobic exercises such as walking, running, or swimming are sometimes referred to as cardio. This is short for cardiovascular exercise. These exercises increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and improve your overall fitness. Strength, or resistance training, exercises use weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight to build stronger muscles. Balance exercises, such as tai chi or standing on one leg, improve your stability and coordination. They may make it easier for you to walk on uneven surfaces and help prevent falls . Flexibility exercises, such as stretching or yoga, help your joints move more easily and improve your posture. Most people benefit from a combination of these types of exercises. Yo