7 BENEFITS OF REGULAR EXERCISES

It is a good thing that we are now past the time when people think regular exercises is all for those who have weight to lose only. If you still harbor that thought, it is high time you changed it.

Regular exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle that encompasses various forms of physical activity that help your work your muscles, burn calories and feel very amazing! So, yes! you might as well get on the dance floor on your Friday nights. The type, duration, intensity, and frequency of exercise can vary depending on individual goals, fitness levels, and preference.

Here are some of the key benefits of regular exercises:

1. BETTER HEART FUNCTION: If you ever run out of breath running up a flight of stairs, this is a wakeup call that your cardio needs to be worked on.

Exercise promotes better cardiovascular function because it strengthens the heart and improves blood flow. Engaging in regular cardiovascular activities lowers the risks of different chronic heart diseases and improves your energy levels.

2. STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM: The duration and severity of common illnesses are reduced in those who carry out regular exercise.

Regular exercise can strengthen the immune system and improve its ability to defend against infections and illnesses. It enhances the production and circulation of immune cells, such as white blood cells.

3. STRONGER BONES AND MUSCLES: Engaging in the strength training exercises whether using dumbbells, bands or your body weight can help you build and maintain strong muscles and bones.

The older we get; we are at risk of conditions like osteoporosis- loss in bone density and loss in muscle mass and functions. This increases the risk of dependency and fall-related injuries. Strength training from a young age will improve your muscle mass and bone density and this will reduce the rate of loss in later ages. With that said, you will still risk the benefits of exercise at an age.

Also, regular physical activity also improves other functions like flexibility, balance and posture.

4. IMPROVED BRAIN HEALTH: The brain is one of the most crucial parts of the body that must be protected and properly cared for in order to ensure overall health and well-being. Participation in regular exercise will improve cognitive function such as enhanced memory, enhanced brain blood flow by promoting the growth of new nerve cells and increases the production of chemicals that enhance brain function, leading to improved cognitive abilities, memory, and learning. This also reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

5. BETTER SLEEP QUALITY: Regular exercise can positively affect the time it takes to fall asleep, sleep quality and duration of sleep. Aerobic exercises and stretching have particular been reported to be helpful according to studies.

6. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Dieting alone is not way to a healthy and sustainable weight loss journey. A combination aerobic and strength training exercise and balanced diet is the best way. Dieting alone will slow down your metabolism which will make it a lot harder to lose weight later on. When you combine exercise with dieting (especially a diet rich in protein), you can actually increase and maintain muscle mass which will increase your metabolic rate and make you burn fat faster.

7. SOCIAL BENEFITS: Get a membership, join a gym or group fitness classes, join an active recreation or exercise clubs today.
This fosters interaction between like-minded individuals, create friendships, and develop a sense of community. Furthermore, if you struggle to be consistent with your fitness regimen, joining a community is a very helpful way to motivate this change.

Exercising regularly is not rocket science, the W.H.O. recommends that adults do at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity weekly and also incorporate some muscle-building exercises. Activities like swimming, squash, football, dance etc, can be regarded as moderate-intensity aerobic exercises but do not forget to include 1-2 strength training sessions.

LOOKING FOR A FITNESS FACILITY OR GYM TO TRAIN IN?

If you are around Oniru, VI, Lekki or Ikoyi, Fitness Factory is accessible. Our facility features state- of-the-art equipment with certified and experienced gym instructors to take care of your training needs. Our group classes include different activities that will help you reap the benefits above and more. They include but not limited to Zumba dance classes, spinning classes, weightlifting classes, boxing classes, mobility classes and so on. Contact us today to know how you can start taking your training seriously.

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.