Exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health. It is performed for various reasons, including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, and mental health. Regular exercise has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of ways, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis. It can also lead to improved mental well-being and can help alleviate conditions such as depression and anxiety.
There are four main types of exercise: aerobic (also known as “cardio”), anaerobic (such as weightlifting), flexibility (such as stretching), and balance (such as yoga or Pilates). Aerobic exercise is any type of rhythmic activity that gets your heart rate up and makes you breathe harder; examples include walking, running, biking, swimming. Anaerobic exercise is more intense and involves activities such as lifting weights; it generally uses glycogen stores rather than oxygen for energy. Flexibility exercises improve range of motion around joints; they are often static stretches held for long periods of time. Balance exercises help maintain control over movement by improving proprioception (the ability to sense position and movement) and stabilization muscles.
The benefits of exercise extend far beyond physical health; it can also improve cognitive function and mood. Exercise has been shown to increase brain volume in areas associated with memory & learning new tasks In one study , participants who took part in moderate-intensity aerobic activity three times per week for 16 weeks showed significant improvements in executive function <ref>https://www .sciencedirect .com/science/article/pii/ S2211335517302463< ;/ref>; another found that just 20 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio led to immediate improvement in working memory . Exercise has also been linked with increased production of BDNF , a protein that helps with the growth & survival of neurons As well as its cognitive benefits , regular exercise can also have a positive effect on mood ; one review article found that aerobic exercise was effective at treating mild-to-moderate depression .
So what’s the best way to get started? The key is finding an activity you enjoy & will stick with long-term . If you’re not sure where to begin , try starting with some simple aerobic exercises like walking or jogging . You can also look for group classes at your local gym or community center , which can make working out more fun & social . Once you find something you enjoy , make sure to vary your routine so you don’t get bored ; this could mean trying different routes when walking or running outside , mixing up your class schedule , or adding some strength training or other forms of exercise into your routine . And finally , don’t forget about the importance of rest & amp ; recovery ; give yourself time to recover between workouts so your body doesn’t become too fatigued .