Benefits Of Our Fitness Programs For Heart Health
Benefits Of Our Fitness Programs For Heart Health
Maintaining an active lifestyle is one of the most important steps toward good heart health. If you are new to exercise and aren’t sure what to implement into your routine, achieving your goals can be more challenging. February is American Heart Month, and our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy would like to discuss some of the benefits of our fitness programs for heart health! Continue reading to learn more!
Our Fitness Programs
At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we possess several unique tools for evaluating your physical capabilities. Our personalized fitness programs allow us to teach you heart-healthy exercises you can perform at home or with our state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Our team will evaluate your current fitness abilities and cardiac disease risk factors to outline an appropriate treatment program that sets you up for success.
Benefits of Fitness For Heart Health
It’s no secret that staying active is incredibly beneficial and vital to your heart health. Understanding the numerous heart health benefits of physical activity can be your motivation to get started with our fitness programs. Here’s what you need to know:
- Lowers blood pressure – Exercise helps lower your blood pressure at rest and when exercising. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease.
- Weight control – When combined with a smart diet, exercise is a critical component for sustained weight loss. A healthy weight optimizes your heart health since obesity puts stress on the heart and is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Lowers stress – Stress places a heavy burden on the heart. Exercise releases endorphins and helps you relax and ease stress.
- Slows development of diabetes – Aerobic exercises and strength training can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Exercise allows the muscles to process glycogen better. When glycogen is impaired, it can lead to high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
- Reduces inflammation – Chronic inflammation can be reduced with regular exercise as the body adapts to the new challenges on various bodily systems. This can help reduce the adverse effects of other conditions.
Getting Started
Getting started and staying on track of your fitness goals requires commitment. If you are unsure of where to start, our team will help you find the right exercise program for your unique capabilities. Aside from our fitness programs, here are some tips for incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle and reaping the benefits outside of our office:
- Make it part of your routine – You don’t need to become a track star to experience all of the benefits of activity. Start your journey by doing activities you enjoy and make them a part of your routine. It’s essential to start small and gradually build. Walking is a fantastic low-impact exercise that you can slowly increase over time. Walking helps get your blood pumping and can significantly improve your heart health.
- Personalization – Some want to be active because they enjoy recreational activities or sleep better. Others want to exercise for weight loss. Regular exercise serves as an insurance policy that offers both short and long-term protection for your heart. Identify the benefits you value to help you stay on top of your goals.
- Involve friends and family – Your loved ones can help you stay active. When it comes to getting active with friends or family, the possibilities are endless. Go on a hike, take dance lessons, or play catch outside with your children.
- Make routine tasks more active – You can make simple parts of your routine more active. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or park farther away in a parking lot to get more walking in.
- Track your progress – Keep a log of your activity to track your development. A step counter on your watch is a great tool to help you set goals and stay motivated.
Contact Us
This year during American Heart Month, protect your heart health and consult with our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy. We’ll help you define a routine that works for your lifestyle and help mitigate your risk of developing a heart condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for care and learn more about our fitness programs!