Exercise is for Everyone
Monday, September 1, 2008
Exercise is for everyone – not just athletes or the glorified icons in the entertainment industry.
Our bodies are magnificently created and have not been designed to stay still, but to move. If you've never imagined yourself as someone capable of living an active and healthy lifestyle – well, now is never too late to start.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that all healthy adults aged 18-65 engage in moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 30 minutes per session on 5 or more days per week OR vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for at least 20 minutes 3 or more days per week.
In addition to this, you should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance a minimum of two days each week (8 to 10 strength-training exercises, 8 to 12 repetitions of each exercise).
If you were to do more than the above recommended minimum, you would experience even greater health benefits.
Moderate intensity is when you're working out hard enough to start to sweat and raise your heart rate. If you're gasping for breath when you’re running, then that's considered to be 'vigorous intensity'.
The reason people get out of shape is because they don’t move enough. If you're a healthy adult, then regardless of your past experience or background - you can begin an exercise program moving gradually from low-intensity movements and gradually increasing the intensity, duration, and the number of times you exercise.
Walking itself is a fantastic way to get started with a moderate-intensity activity. You could also exercise anywhere, so you don't need a gym to get your daily dose of physical activity. All we need is some determination and the desire to make that difference in our lives to live a more active and healthier life.
About the Author - Noel Chelliah is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer and a Computer Science graduate with many years of experience in health and fitness since 2000. Actively involved in the fitness industry as a Personal Trainer and freelance writer, he has coached and inspired many individuals to successfully reach their fitness goals. Noel specializes in Weight Management and Strength Training.
September 4, 2008 at 1:24 AM
Thanks for sharing ... I really need to get out my "couch potato" title