It is no secret that heart care specialists in Boynton Beach (and around the world) encourage exercise as a way to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association encourages thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week to stay healthy. However, knowing that exercise is important and actually getting on your feet are two entirely different things.
Sometimes all you need is a little bit of guidance to get off the couch. Give a couple of these five heart healthy exercises chance to see what works best for you.
1. Walking: It seems too simple, doesn’t it? Thankfully, walking is not too good to be true. Going for a thirty minute walk five times a week may be all it takes to help reduce your chance of a heart attack or stroke. Walking is easy to get into: just lace up your shoes and head out the door. It’s also an easy exercise to do with friends or family.
2. Running: If you’re looking for an activity with a little more oomph than walking, give running a try. As long as your doctor says you’re up for it, running can have a very positive impact on weight management, muscle growth, and heart health. If you are a regular walker who is interested in starting to run, try Couch to 5K or a similar program that intersperses slower and faster paced movement.
3. Swimming: Cardiology specialists in Boynton Beach love encouraging patients to swim. Swimming is a low impact activity. The water helps support some of your weight while providing resistance, allowing you to exercise your heart and muscles without potentially damaging your joints. Swimming can also be lots of fun, making you more likely to come back to it.
4. Yoga: Improving your flexibility and muscle strength is an important part of healthy exercise. While yoga may not look very strenuous at first, it is a great way to grow stronger and improve your range of motion. If you find a standard yoga class a little too slow for your taste, give Bikram or Ashtanga a try. These styles include more flowing movements that will elevate your heart rate.
5. Biking: If you have a bicycle gathering dust in the garage, why not dig it out and take it for a spin? Cycling is a great way to elevate your heart rate, burn calories, and build muscle strength. All three can help improve your heart function. It’s also an easy exercise to work into your daily routine.
Starting an exercise routine can be daunting if you’ve lived a sedentary lifestyle up to now. However, even a little bit of motion can go a long way. The best heart doctors in Boynton Beach recommend starting out slow. Even a small amount of time exercising is better than doing nothing at all. Work your way up to longer and more intense activity. Give yourself time and, most importantly, have fun.
It is important to speak with a doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. Reach out to a heart specialist by getting in contact with South Palm Cardiovascular Associates. We’d love to work with you further to help you find the best exercise for your heart. Call us at 561-515-0080 to learn more.
