Benefits of Exercise? - Lesson 2
Are there any real benefits to exercise? Maybe if we truly understood the life-enhancing benefits of exercise, we would find ways to get active instead of making excuses. Anyone who attempts to downplay the importance of exercise has never been in good enough shape to experience the benefits. It should come as no surprise that it’s recommended to participate in regular physical activity. In this lesson, we will expand on the benefits you WILL experience from beginning regular exercise. Now, the benefits of exercise go FAR beyond its well known physical enhancements. We’re going a bit deeper than this common knowledge but not so deep that you get lost in the sauce.
What’s stopping people from exercising? The excuses are endless and if excuses were a currency it would definitely be the most abundant. “I’ll start at the beginning of the new year!” or “I just don’t have the time right now.” Oh boy, these are as common as pennies.
How serious are the consequences of inactivity? Inactivity is responsible for countless diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and MANY more. A lot of these diseases are so common we don’t even view them as serious anymore. We just accept it as a part of life, something that’s bound to happen. This is very unfortunate.
People do not deem exercise to be a priority. It’s like a pass time or a leisure activity. People spend more time tying the laces on their slip-ons than they do thinking about beginning exercise. Did you know that people who are physically active have the same amount of time in their day (24 hours) as those who claim that they do not have the time? “No way? Is this true? How can the physically active have the same amount of time?” Simple, they prioritize their life.
I honestly understand why some people prefer not to exercise. With so many conflicting messages from the media and “experts”, people believe they have to dedicate hours in the gym and spend tons of money on supplements OR they think they can take a pill and sit back and get the body of their dreams. Those requirements are far more than your busy lifestyle is able to handle and I agree! If the standard of health and fitness was set by these so-called “experts” and money-hungry companies, more than half of the population would never reach that level of activity to achieve that standard.
What’s stopping people from exercising? The excuses are endless and if excuses were a currency it would definitely be the most abundant. “I’ll start at the beginning of the new year!” or “I just don’t have the time right now.” Oh boy, these are as common as pennies.
How serious are the consequences of inactivity? Inactivity is responsible for countless diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and MANY more. A lot of these diseases are so common we don’t even view them as serious anymore. We just accept it as a part of life, something that’s bound to happen. This is very unfortunate.
People do not deem exercise to be a priority. It’s like a pass time or a leisure activity. People spend more time tying the laces on their slip-ons than they do thinking about beginning exercise. Did you know that people who are physically active have the same amount of time in their day (24 hours) as those who claim that they do not have the time? “No way? Is this true? How can the physically active have the same amount of time?” Simple, they prioritize their life.
I honestly understand why some people prefer not to exercise. With so many conflicting messages from the media and “experts”, people believe they have to dedicate hours in the gym and spend tons of money on supplements OR they think they can take a pill and sit back and get the body of their dreams. Those requirements are far more than your busy lifestyle is able to handle and I agree! If the standard of health and fitness was set by these so-called “experts” and money-hungry companies, more than half of the population would never reach that level of activity to achieve that standard.
The benefits of exercise don’t stop at your six-pack. Here are some REAL life-improving benefits that exercise creates.
- Increased energy, endurance, flexibility, and muscle strength
- Reduced stress
- Reduced risk of cancer
- Reduced risk or severity of chronic illnesses (protects against colds, coughs, flu)
- Strengthened immune system
- Burning excess calories, creating a more lean physique
- Lowered insulin requirements
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered cholesterol
- Lowered resting heart rate and improved circulation (someone who has a heart rate of 80 and begins to exercise may see the heart rate go down to 70. Over a year the heart could rest 5,256,000 beats.)
- Improved sense of well-being (mood)
- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved appetite control
- Improved calcium storage and bone density, therefore preventing osteoporosis
The benefits of exercise don’t stop at your six-pack. Here are some REAL life-improving benefits that exercise creates.
- Increased energy, endurance, flexibility, and muscle strength
- Reduced stress
- Reduced risk of cancer
- Reduced risk or severity of chronic illnesses (protects against colds, coughs, flu)
- Strengthened immune system
- Burning excess calories, creating a more lean physique
- Lowered insulin requirements
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered cholesterol
- Lowered resting heart rate and improved circulation (someone who has a heart rate of 80 and begins to exercise may see the heart rate go down to 70. Over a year the heart could rest 5,256,000 beats.)
- Improved sense of well-being (mood)
- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved appetite control
- Improved calcium storage and bone density, therefore preventing osteoporosis
Stress is no stranger to anyone. No matter how “perfect” a life you live, you will experience stress every so often. Psychosomatic illness is a real thing and stress is not abstract, it carries very real consequences. Roughly 7.3% of American have anxiety-related disorders to the extent that treatment is necessary. Exercise has been proven to relieve both state and trait anxiety symptoms which are related to stress.
State Anxiety: Experiencing anxiety which is characterized by feelings of apprehension or threat and accompanied by increased physiological arousal, particularly as mediated by the autonomic nervous system.
Trait Anxiety: Dispositional factor relating to the probability that a given person is likely to perceive a situation as threatening.
The rhythmic nature of various exercises is responsible for its positive benefits. Many agree that walking, running or cycling at a controlled pace for an allotted time assist to promote relaxation. Climbing steps and dance aerobics are frequently performed in cadence or in time to music.
The science: According to a section from NSCA’s – Exercise Psychology for the Personal Trainer they state, “Exercises are rhythmic, the relaxing effects of rhythmic exercise may be biological: it is likely that cerebral cortical arousal is inhibited, due to a volley of afferent rhythmic impulses from the skeletal muscles to an inhibitory or “relaxation” site in the brain stem of the central nervous system, and that this causes “quieting” of the cognitive activity associated with anxiety or stress states.”
The bottom line: The rhythmic style of the exercise stimulus is the major attribution for the anxiety/stress-relieving results. If you’re stressed out, do some exercise.
Stress Reduction
Stress is no stranger to anyone. No matter how “perfect” a life you live, you will experience stress every so often. Psychosomatic illness is a real thing and stress is not abstract, it carries very real consequences. Roughly 7.3% of American have anxiety-related disorders to the extent that treatment is necessary. Exercise has been proven to relieve both state and trait anxiety symptoms which are related to stress.
State Anxiety: Experiencing anxiety which is characterized by feelings of apprehension or threat and accompanied by increased physiological arousal, particularly as mediated by the autonomic nervous system.
Trait Anxiety: Dispositional factor relating to the probability that a given person is likely to perceive a situation as threatening.
The rhythmic nature of various exercises is responsible for its positive benefits. Many agree that walking, running or cycling at a controlled pace for an allotted time assist to promote relaxation. Climbing steps and dance aerobics are frequently performed in cadence or in time to music.
The science: According to a section from NSCA’s – Exercise Psychology for the Personal Trainer they state, “Exercises are rhythmic, the relaxing effects of rhythmic exercise may be biological: it is likely that cerebral cortical arousal is inhibited, due to a volley of afferent rhythmic impulses from the skeletal muscles to an inhibitory or “relaxation” site in the brain stem of the central nervous system, and that this causes “quieting” of the cognitive activity associated with anxiety or stress states.”
The bottom line: The rhythmic style of the exercise stimulus is the major attribution for the anxiety/stress-relieving results. If you’re stressed out, do some exercise.
You must complete this quiz before gaining access to the next lesson
Points gained for passing quiz = 40
Your Points =
Do you have questions about this lesson? Talk to our elite coaches!