The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. You want to do all you can to keep it healthy.
Staying physically active is one of the best things you can do to boost heart health. It makes your heart strong, so it is better able to fight disease. But certain exercises are more effective than others when it comes to keeping the heart in optimal shape.
This article will review the workouts that are recommended for improving heart health.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is any type of exercise that requires free oxygen. It uses oxygen to meet the energy demands of exercise through aerobic metabolism. Examples include swimming, running, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope.
This type of exercise boosts heart health, improves overall fitness, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, and helps control blood glucose in individuals that live with diabetes. Experts recommend doing some sort of aerobic workout for at least 30 minutes a day five days a week.
Resistance Training
Strength training or resistance training involves using weights, bands and other forms of resistance to improve strength and endurance. It commonly integrates other training techniques such as isometrics, plyometrics and calisthenics. Examples include push-ups, chin-ups, squats and working out with free weights.
Individuals that strength train will see a reduction in body fat which is replaced by lean muscle mass. The decrease in fat results in less strain on the heart. It can also raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. It should be performed at least two nonconsecutive days a week.
Stretching, Balance and Flexibility Exercise
Exercise that incorporates stretches and improves balance will benefit musculoskeletal health allowing you to perform at your best when engaging in aerobic and resistance training workouts that boost heart health. They also reduce cramps, joint pain and other muscular issues. Examples include Pilates, yoga and tai chi.
These exercises should be performed every day and especially before you engage in another type of exercise.
Diet is Important Too
Exercise won’t be as effective in improving heart health unless it is accompanied by the right diet. Foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, black beans and salmon are terrific for your heart while red meats and high fat items should be avoided.
If you feel you are not getting enough heart healthy foods in your diet, or if you want to get the most of their benefits, try adding a supplement like Priority One’s Healthy Heart.
Priority One is known for providing high quality vitamins, herbs and supplements formulated to improve health. Their Healthy Heart product contains a blend of nutrients specially designed to benefit the cardiovascular system. It is rich in selenium, chondroitin sulfate, coenzyme q10 and hawthorn berries, and it’s 100% vegetarian.
Heart health is so important. The right diet and exercise routine will keep your ticker healthy so you can rely on it beating steady for years to come. What do you do to keep your heart in the best shape possible?
