Movement
3 Types of Exercises We Need And Why
Want to stay fit and improve your overall health? Incorporate a combination of different types of physical activities such as resistance training, aerobic and flexibility exercises into your routine to improve overall health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and promote a better quality of life.
You probably have heard that working out is good for your health a million times. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention shows that exercise helps to improve our health, provide more energy, improve sex life, and add years to our lives. You may even begin to feel better about your appearance and become more confident when you exercise regularly. Though the benefits of exercise are inevitable, it's easy to fall into the trap of doing the same type of activity repeatedly believing that's enough.
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A balanced exercise routine typically includes these components: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility which are crucial for achieving optimal health and fitness. There are three main types of physical activity: aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening exercises. Aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, increases your heart rate and breathing and includes activities such as running, swimming, and cycling. Strength training involves resistance exercises to build and maintain muscle mass and strength. Moving on to the last one, balance and flexibility activities help improve your range of motion and prevent injury. These may include stretching, yoga, and Pilates.
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1. Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, is any physical activity that increases your heart rate and breathing. According to a 2022 study in the Cleveland Clinic, a moderate aerobic workout of 150 minutes a week is recommended to stay healthy. Aerobic exercises are known to improve heart health and may even prevent colon and breast cancer. This type of exercise gets you to breathe harder, making your heart beat faster.
Benefits of Aerobic Exercise: Aerobic exercise is important because it helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthens the heart, improves lung capacity and lowers the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. Besides, aerobic exercises also help in keeping excess weight at bay. There are numerous benefits of aerobic exercise such as:
- Enhances cardiovascular health: Aerobic exercises improve heart and lung function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.
- Improved respiratory health: Performing aerobic exercises can significantly improve respiratory function, increasing lung capacity and reducing the risk of respiratory diseases.
- Boosts metabolism: Aerobic exercises increase metabolism, helping to burn calories and fat. It reduces the risk of obesity and related health conditions.
- Improved immune system function: A 2021 study issued by Clinical And Experimental Medicine reveals that regular and appropriate intensity levels of aerobic exercises can improve immune system function and also reduce the risk of infections and other illnesses.
- Improved mood: Aerobic exercises can improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health.
- Improved cognitive function: According to a 2022 study issued by the paper Medicine (Baltimore), aerobic exercises can improve cognitive function, including memory and attention, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Types of Aerobic Exercises: Aerobic exercise such as running, cycling, or dancing. It is essential for improving cardiovascular health, increasing endurance, and burning calories. There are many different types of aerobic exercises that you can do, depending on your fitness level, interests, and available equipment.
- Running/jogging: Running or jogging is a classic aerobic exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime, and with no equipment required.
- Walking: Walking is a low-impact aerobic exercise that can be done indoors or outdoors and at any pace.
- Cycling: Cycling is a great aerobic exercise that can be done outdoors or indoors on a stationary bike.
- Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact aerobic exercise that works the entire body and is easy on the joints.
- Rowing: Rowing is a full-body aerobic exercise that can be done on a rowing machine or in a boat.
- Dancing: Dancing is a fun and social aerobic exercise that can be done at home or in a class.
- Jumping rope: Jumping rope is a high-intensity aerobic exercise that can be done anywhere and is great for improving coordination.
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2. Resistance Training
Strength training involves using weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises to build muscle and increase strength. Muscle-strengthening exercise, on the other hand, involves working out with weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises to increase muscle mass and strength.
Benefits of Resistance Training: As per a 2021 study by Better Health Channel, strength or resistance training is important because it helps to improve bone density and metabolism. Resistance exercises, also known as strength training, provide numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Strengthens muscle strength: Resistance exercises improve muscle strength, which can help with everyday activities, sports performance, and reducing the risk of injuries.
- Increases muscle mass: This type of exercise can increase muscle mass, which can improve body composition and metabolism, and reduce the risk of obesity.
- Boosts bone density: This exercise helps increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
- Improves joint health: Resistance exercises can strengthen the muscles around the joints, improving joint stability and reducing the risk of injuries.
- Revamp mental health: Resistance exercises can help improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, and improve cognitive function.
Types of Resistant Exercises: Resistance training is a type of exercise that uses resistance or weights to build strength, endurance, and muscle mass. Here are some of the different types of resistance training:
- Bodyweight training: This type of resistance training uses your own body weight as resistance. Examples include push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and lunges.
- Free weights: This type of resistance training uses free weights like dumbbells, barbehttps://ur.life/article/beginners-full-body-barbell-workoutlls, and kettlebells. Examples include bench presses, bicep curls, and deadlifts.
- Machines: This type of resistance training uses weight machines that have a fixed range of motion. Examples include leg press, chest press, and lat pulldown.
- Resistance bands: This type of resistance training uses elastic bands of varying resistance levels. Examples include bicep curls, rows, and squats.
- Suspension training: This type of resistance training uses a suspension system like TRX, which uses your own body weight as resistance.
- Isometric training: This type of resistance training involves holding a position without moving, such as holding a plank position.
- Plyometrics: This type of resistance training involves explosive movements, such as jumping, to build power and speed.
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3. Flexibility Exercise
Balance and flexibility exercises are types of physical activities that focus on improving your body's ability to move and maintain stability.
Balance exercises aim to improve your ability to control and maintain your body's centre of gravity, and to prevent falls. These exercises can improve your coordination, proprioception (the sense of where your body is in space), and reaction time.
Flexibility exercises, on the other hand, aim to improve the range of motion in your joints and muscles. These exercises can reduce muscle stiffness and soreness, and improve posture and mobility.
Benefits of Balance And Flexibility Training: These activities can also help to reduce the risk of falls and injuries, especially in older adults. Flexibility exercises, also known as stretching, are a key component of a balanced exercise routine and provide numerous benefits for both physical and mental health.
- Increases range of motion: Balance and flexibility exercises can increase the range of motion in joints and muscles, improving flexibility, mobility, and balance.
- Reduces the chance of injuries: Flexibility exercises can reduce the risk of injuries by improving muscle and joint flexibility, reducing muscle stiffness and soreness, and improving muscle coordination.
- Enhances posture: Flexibility exercises can improve posture by reducing muscle imbalances and tightness and promoting proper alignment of the spine and joints.
- Decreases stress and anxiety: Flexibility exercises can promote relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health and well-being.
- Improves blood circulation: A 2020 study by The Psychological Society showed that balance and flexibility exercises can improve circulation by increasing blood flow to muscles and joints, reducing muscle tension and soreness, and promoting healing.
- Improves athletic performance: Flexibility exercises are also known to improve athletic performance by improving flexibility, mobility, and coordination.
- Good quality of life: Balance and flexibility exercises can improve quality of life by reducing pain and stiffness, improving mobility and balance.
Types of Balance And Flexibility: There are many different types of balance and flexibility exercises that are beneficial for improving coordination, stability, and mobility. Here are some examples:
- Yoga: Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. It can improve flexibility, balance, strength, and overall well-being.
- Pilates: Pilates is a low-impact exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and balance. It can improve posture, coordination, and body awareness.
- Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a gentle form of martial arts that combines slow, flowing movements with deep breathing and relaxation. It can improve balance, flexibility, and mental well-being.
- Stretching: Stretching exercises can improve flexibility, mobility, and range of motion in joints and muscles. They can be done before or after exercise, or as a standalone routine.
- Balance exercises: Balance exercises can improve stability, coordination, and proprioception (the sense of where your body is in space). Examples include standing on one foot, heel-to-toe walking, and balancing on an unstable surface (such as a foam pad).
Incorporating all three types of exercises into your routine is crucial for overall health and well-being. Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health, strength training increases muscle mass and metabolism, and flexibility exercise helps improve joint mobility and prevent injury.
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By incorporating a variety of exercises into your routine, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic disease. It's never too late to start incorporating three types of exercise into your routine, and with a little creativity, there are endless possibilities for finding activities that meet your fitness level and needs.
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Our two locations in Jubilee and Kavuri Hills in Hyderabad offer a swimming pool, gym, spa, rehabilitation centre and cafe to ensure you reach your health objectives. Our gym offers classes in aerobics, CrossFit, Zumba, and more. Come try our world-class gym and experience the difference for yourself.
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