The Benefits of Exercise

The sun is finally shining, time to get fit! Not just to get those toned legs and that flat stomach but because working out can cut your risk of developing more than 20 different illnesses including cancer and heart disease.

Heart

Did you know that exercise can actually add four years to your life? Exercise can also help to lower your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high it can put a strain on your arteries and your heart, which makes you more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. Aim for around 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.

Brain

Exercise can actually help to reduce the risk of developing dementia and age related memory loss by increasing the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain which makes the memories. Recent studies also show that those who exercise regularly are 30% less likely to develop the signs of depression.

Bones

Osteoporosis affects around one in three women in the UK. It is a condition that affects bones, causing them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break. Doing an activity like dance, Zumba or aerobics three times a week can help boost bone density, especially in your spine, legs and feet. Resistant training may also increase bone mass and can be protective.

Pancreas

Exercise can lower the risk of you developing type 2 diabetes by up to 50%. Lifting weights and building up your lean muscle mass can help to lower your insulin resistance, reducing the risk of developing the disease as a result. 

Breast

Studies have shown a link between breast cancer and the amount of oestrogen that you are exposed to. Even brisk walking can help to reduce oestrogen levels in the body which could lower your chance of developing the disease by up 20%.

The Gut

IBS is a common disease of the gut and affects one in five people in the UK. With this number increasing more is being done to help treat the disease. Vigorous exercise around five times a week can be an effective treatment method as working out can help to improve bowel movement, relieve gas and constipation.

I don’t know about you but that’s definitely motivation to get us to the gym!