Benefits from Regular Exercise and Physical Activity:

Weight Control

  • Speeds up bodily processes, burning more calories
  • Helps maintain lean body mass, important to weight loss
  • Helps control appetite

Heart and Blood Vessels

  • Lowers resting heart rate
  • Lowers blood pressure at rest and after exercise
  • Strengthens heart function
  • Improves oxygen delivery to the body
  • Increases blood supply to the muscles
  • Enlarges the arteries to the heart
  • Improves endurance and energy levels

Musculoskeletal System

  • Increases muscle strength
  • Increases flexibility of muscles and improves range of motion in joints
  • Produces stronger bones, tendons and ligaments
  • Lessens chance of muscle or joint injury
  • Enhances posture, poise and figure or physique
  • Lessens chance of "dependency" in old age

Metabolism and Body Function

  • Improves the way the body handles fat
  • Helps lower blood fats (triglycerides, cholesterol)
  • Increases HDL, the "good" cholesterol carrier
  • Helps regulate blood sugar levels
  • Helps prevent osteoporosis
  • Improves general resistance to disease
  • Aids digestion and elimination
  • Increases muscle energy and decreases fatigue

Mental Processes

  • Provides natural release from stress
  • Helps reduce tension and anxiety
  • Improves mental outlook and self-esteem
  • Helps relieve mild depression
  • Builds resistance to stress, better able to cope
  • Stimulates mental function
  • Helps relax and improve sleep