Benefits of Structural and Functional Cardio respiratory (Aerobic) Fitness
Aerobic fitness can help you do the following:
- Complete and enjoy your daily activities
- Strengthen and increase the efficiency of your heart muscle
- Increase the proportion of high-density lipoproteins in your blood.
- Increase the capillary network in your body
- Improve collateral circulation
- Control your weight
- Stimulate bone growth
- Cope with stressors
- Ward off infections
- Improve the efficiency of your other body systems
- Bolster your self-esteem
- Achieve self-directed fitness goals
- Reduce negative dependence behavior
- Sleep better
- Recover more quickly from common illnesses
- Meet people with similar interests
- Receive reduced insurance premiums
Tips to Help You stick to your Exercise Program
Sometimes it seems difficult to continue an exercise program. Here are a few tips to keep you going:
- Fit your program into your daily lifestyle
- Exercise with your friends
- Incorporate music into your activity
- Vary your activities frequently, cross train
- Reward yourself when you reach a fitness goal
- Avoid a complicated exercise program; keep it simple
- Measure your improvement by keeping a log or diary
- Take some time off to rest and recuperate
- Keep in mind how important physical activity is to your life and health
Safety Precautions for Strength Training
To avoid injury during strength-training exercises, you should observe the following safety precautions:
- Warm up appropriately
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Always have a spotter if you are using free weights
- Do not hold your breath during a lift
- Avoid sing lifts of very heavy weights
- Before using a machine (such as Nautilus or Universal), be certain you know how to use it correctly.
- Seek advice for training programs from properly licensed or certified experts.
- Work within your limitations; avoid “showing off”.
