February is American Heart Month and the perfect time to reevaluate your workout regimen to ensure that you set yourself up for a healthy cardiovascular system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is attributed to twenty-five percent of deaths in America each year. Regardless of gender or ethnic group, heart disease is believed to be the number one cause of death in the United States.
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The good news is that it’s never too late to start focusing on your heart health! What you do today can impact your health for years to come and it’s never too late to start improving your heart health at FitClub.
Aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercises can be any activity that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat, including brisk walking, running, swimming, or dancing. No matter what type of aerobics you prefer, you can find it at FitClub group exercise class. Experts recommend two hours and thirty minutes each week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to improve circulation, lower your blood pressure, and reduce stress. Sounds like a good day to try a FitClub Zumba class!
Strength training. Strength training when combined with aerobics, raises good cholesterol, lowers bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke. At least twice a week on nonconsecutive days. According to a study conducted by Harvard University, adding just thirty minutes each week of weight training to your workout can reduce your risk of heart disease by twenty-three percent! Weight training can increase lean muscle and decrease fatty tissue, allowing you to maintain a healthy weight which is critical to heart health.
Yoga.To balance out your workout regimen, try adding a FitClub yoga class to your schedule. Yoga has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, improve flexibility and balance and may make it easier for your whole body to complete an aerobic exercise. Beginners are always welcome in yoga classes and it’s never too late to learn to control your stress and anxiety while improving your muscle tone at the same time.
No matter what type of exercise you love, consistency is the key for ultimate heart health. What you do consistently now can have a major impact on your health over a lifetime. A significant portion of your risk for heart disease and stroke can be improved through a healthy lifestyle that includes both a healthy diet and an active, aerobic lifestyle.
All of the exercises above are most helpful when combined with a lifestyle focused on heart health. A healthy diet and exercise program, combined with stress management and quality sleep can leave you with a healthy heart for many years.
What will you do today to improve your cardiovascular fitness? Leave your tips for your fellow heart-healthy FitClub members in the comments below!
