Staying active with regular exercise is important for keeping your body and heart healthy and reducing chances of heart disease. All movement is good movement, but if you want to keep your heart healthy and strong, you need to exercise intentionally with a consistent workout schedule. Here are some of the best exercises for heart health that you should start including in your regular workout schedule.
1. Swimming
Swimming is a great low-impact, full-body exercise that is gentle on your joints but offers a beneficial cardio workout for your heart. This is one of the best exercises for heart health because it keeps both your lungs and heart strong and can even help lower blood pressure. Whether you swim laps or take a water aerobics class, this type of exercise can strengthen your heart and body in a way that allows you to move your body without pain, especially if you are recovering from an injury or your body doesn’t handle high-impact exercises well.
2. Brisk Walking
Walking might not seem like it does much, but it can actually be a great exercise for heart health. Walking fast gets your heart rate up but is still easy on your joints. Studies show that brisk walking for just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 19%. Plus, you can do this exercise almost anywhere and anytime. You can go for a short walk during your lunch break or take a long walk with a friend on the weekend. The flexibility of this exercise makes it easy to do and keep doing.
3. Yoga
Yoga is one of the best exercises for heart health. Not only does this exercise tone and strengthen your muscles and improve flexibility, but certain types of yoga can also get your heart rate up for cardio. Studies suggest that yoga can even improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels. This exercise also provides a level of calm that has been linked to lowering blood pressure.
4. Strength Training
Strength exercises like weight lifting and push-ups strengthen your muscles while getting your heart pumping. Strength training exercises also help you build lean muscle mass and burn fat. You can hit the gym to strength train with weights or on machines, or you can do strength training exercises right at home. Some of the most effective strength exercises are ones that use your own body weight, such as squats, pull-ups, and push-ups.
5. Cycling
You can hop on a bike to pedal around town or use a stationary bike indoors to reap the great benefits of cycling. Cycling is one of the best exercises for heart health because it gets your heart rate up but is low-impact so it’s easier on your body. Cycling can be an enjoyable way to build heart health because you can ride around your neighborhood with a friend, find a nearby trail to explore, or follow along with a spin class video in the comfort of your home. Research suggests that regular cycling can reduce the risk of heart disease and even improve mental health.
6. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, alternates between short bursts of high-intensity exercise and periods of lower-intensity active recovery. This is a great way to get a full workout in a short amount of time. HIIT raises and lowers your heart rate to improve heart and lung health as well as burn calories. This is one of the types of exercises for heart health that both strengthens your heart and helps it function properly.
More Health Tips from Your Local Alabama Pharmacy
These are some of the best exercises for heart health that you should incorporate into your regular workout routine. If you want to learn more about ways you can keep your heart healthy and improve overall wellness, reach out to us at Village Discount Drugs and our experienced staff will be happy to answer your questions! We want to help you achieve the best health and wellness possible!
