Whether you like it or not, working out is a great thing. It’s a way to get your body moving, your blood pumping and your heart racing. Sometimes getting started on a consistent work out schedule can be a miserable experience, but that’s only because your body is still adjusting to that much activity. So let’s talk about what working out really is, all the different reasons you should be doing it, and all the benefits of being active.
Physical fitness, working out, or whatever you want to call it can mean a lot of different things to people: stress reliever, moment to clear your head and think, doctor ordered maintenance, self motivated maintenance, or simply pure enjoyment. But what is actually happening while you workout?
There’s a few different things going on…
- Every time you run, lift weights, do yoga or exercise until you’re sore or exhausted, you’re pushing your body to the point of damaging its cells. These cells are then repaired and grow back even stronger in order to endure the same activity in the future. This results in more endurance for said activity or allows you to do a harder activity next time. Essentially, every time you exercise, you begin a cycle of breakdown, repair, and then growth.
- Exercise can increase your joint and bone health. While it may seem counterintuitive, placing more weight onto your body than it’s used to can actually help improve bone health and slow down bone mass loss with age.
- To exercise is to maintain your cardiovascular system. Any physical activity requires the stimulation of your muscles which results in increased blood flow. This not only circulates new blood to all of the important parts of your body, but it exercises your heart as well and increased cardiovascular health is always a good thing!
- Increased blood flow while working out also benefits your brain immensely by promoting cell growth which can lead to better memory and almost immediate focus after a workout. Working out also has a major chemical effect on the brain. Physical movement results in the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins that have a strong regulatory effect on your mood. In fact, exercise is one of the best treatments and prevention methods for depression.
Basically, exercise is what’s known as a beneficial stress. As you exercise, your body experiences extremes that force it to improve its efficiency and ultimately improve its health and well being. Not only will you begin to feel better when you plan out a regular work out routine, but your body will function better as well. So get out there and get active. Your body will thank you for it!
