There are so many different types and categories of exercises–from Cardio to Cross Fit it–that it can all seem a little overwhelming. However, it’s not as complex as it may seem. There are really just four main purposes of exercising:
- Endurance
- Strength
- Balance
- Flexibility
Endurance
Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and improve your overall fitness. This type of exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and may even lower the risk of cancer. Endurance exercises include:
- Running
- Cycling
- Dancing
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Strength
Strength exercises make your muscles stronger and develops lean muscle mass, which is particularly important for weight loss, because lean muscle burns more calories than other types of tissue. These exercises also are called “strength training” or “resistance training.” Strength exercises include:
- Lifting weights
- Using a resistance band
- Using your own body weight
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Balance
Balance exercises improve your ability to control and stabilize your body’s position. This type of exercise is particularly important for older adults, because balance gets worse with age. But balance exercises can be beneficial for everyone, including people who have gained or lost a lot of weight or those who become pregnant, which can throw off your center of gravity. Balance exercises include:
- Standing on one foot
- Balance trainer work
- Tai Chi
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Flexibility
Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber and mobile. Being flexible gives you more freedom of movement for other exercises, athletic endeavors, and everyday activities. It can also help reduce injury. Flexibility exercises include:
- Shoulder and upper arm stretch
- Calf and hamstring stretch
- Yoga
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Many exercise programs, such as functional training and cross fit, combine two or more of these objectives into single exercise routines or combinations of routines. We’ll take a look at what the types of exercise and exercise programs make the most sense for you, next.
Healthy U 