How much exercise is considered enough?

Posted by | Posted in Fitness | Posted on 17-10-2009

Enough exercise differs on how often you are physically active. According to experts, having a 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise for three or more times a week and some muscle strengthening activity and stretching for at least twice a week is a good dose of exercise for an overall health benefit. However, if you are one of those busy people that do not have enough time to do this routine, an accumulated moderate to intense physical activity daily of up to 30 minutes of at least five times a week will do.
However, if you have been inactive for a while, you may start doing those light activities like waking or swimming to fire up your endurance and stretch up your muscles. By doing these light activities, you will become physically without hurting or straining your body. Once you already are in good shape, you can gradually shift to more intense activities.
Doing some moderate to intense activities may include things that you have done already in your daily routine. These might include your household chores and gardening. With these chores done daily an accumulating 30 minutes of activity can definitely give you a substantial health benefits.
In addition, one can also become physically fit by taking advantage of the opportunity where they can do some sort of moderate intensity activity in their daily lives. These may include the following:
•    Taking a short walk around the block
•    Raking the leaves
•    Playing actively with the kids
•    Walking up in stairs instead of taking the elevator
•    Mowing the lawn
•    Taking an activity break by getting up and do some stretching or walking
•    Parking your car a few walks away from your destination
Other than the abovementioned, there are also a few more moderate intensity activities that can help you become physically fit and these includes, some aerobic activity, using some aerobic equipment, and some stretching and strengthening exercises. Aerobic activity include brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, aerobic dancing, racket sports, rowing, ice or roller skating, and cross country or downhill skiing.

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What You Should Look For a Quality Gym

Posted by | Posted in Fitness | Posted on 09-09-2009

To maintain good health and figure, exercise is the best thing to do. We can do it at home or in a gym. Fitness Centers and exercise gyms offer almost the same programs. To land for the best gym that suits best for us, what are the qualities that we should look consider?
First, one should consider a gym that has a staff or number of staffs that has academic and life experience education regarding weight training. If their staffs do not have this kind of education, they must have at least a certification from a recognized organization like the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Make it a habit to check if the gym equipments are at its best condition, and the gym is clean. Always make sure that the equipments are well maintained, stable and are not likely to break.
You are exercising to feel good that is why make sure that the gym you are joining in has some fresh air and should not smell stale or musty.
In addition, make sure that the gym you have chosen has just enough ventilation and temperature. Too hot is not comfortable while gyms that are too cold will most likely to increase joint and muscle injuries.
Not everyone is well versed with various gym equipments. In this regard, it is important to know if the gym you are considering is offering an initial orientation to various equipments. In addition, it is important that gyms must have regular follow-up evaluations for your progress on a varied routine.
Also make sure that the gym has an emergency medical plan available within the premises and that their staffs are trained in CPR and first aid just in case someone gets suddenly ill or injured.
Without all or some of the abovementioned qualities, you must think twice or a million twice before considering a certain gym.

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