Fitness is one of the largest growing industries today. While working with one of my closest friends in the industry, Kathy Ekdahl of Personal Best Personal Training, I learned that when choosing which program best fits your life and your desired outcome, it is important to look at these four aspects of a fitness routine:
Muscular and Cardiovascular Endurance:
These activities are designed to increase your heart rate and breathing for extended periods. Gradually build up endurance exercises over a period of time, initially starting out with as little as 5 minutes. Examples of endurance exercises include briskly walking, cycling, long-distance running, aerobics, and may even include mopping or scrubbing a floor, and mowing or raking the lawn.
Strength Training:
Increasing your strength can improve and maintain your mobility, control your weight and sculpt a more muscular body. Lifting weights is one of the easiest and fastest ways to build muscle. Martial arts are another form of strength training exercises. Please make sure you consult a personal trainer for the correct regimen for your body.
Flexibility:
Increasing your flexibility will help “loosen” you up and allow you to move more freely. One great way to prevent injury and aid performance is to do stretching exercises before and after endurance and strength training. Yoga and gentle stretching fall within this category.
Balance:
More and more, people are seeking balance exercises to reduce stress and harmonize body, mind and spirit. Tai Chi, Qi Gong and certain forms of yoga are exercises designed to maintain balance in the body while cultivating Qi energy that can keep you strong and healthy.
Talk to a qualified professional before you start an exercise routine to best determine what exercises will be most effective in reaching your desired outcome of a healthy, balanced body.
And of course consider acupuncture for performance enhancement, identifying and addressing the underlying conditions that may predispose an individual to injuries, and for treating sport-related injuries effectively. Remember, acupuncture can be introduced at any phase of a treatment regimen for an injury. It is safe, effective and natural! The Marlborough Wellness Center has experienced acupuncturists ready to address any issues you may encounter and get you back to the activities you love!