5 Benefits Of Going To The Gym
By Sam Petragnani
This article details the benefits of daily exercise on our bodies.
1. Better muscle and bone strength
Any sort of physical activity plays a significant role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. As we get older, we tend to lose that strength and muscle function we had when we were younger. With this, we are prone to injury. Regular exercise is vital to reducing muscle loss and maintaining strength when we age. Going to the gym helps build bone density in the lumbar spine, hip bones, and neck. This can prevent the risk of osteoporosis later on in life.
2. Weight management
Avoiding the gym or any sort of exercise can play a huge role in weight gain and obesity. Regular exercise and movement of the body can help you keep a moderate weight by increasing energy expenditure. Our bodies spend energy in 3 ways: digesting food, exercising, and maintaining body functions (heartbeat and breathing). Semeco states that, “A calorie deficit is key to burning fat. However, your metabolic rate — the speed at which you burn fat — may slow with time in a calorie deficit and as you lose weight. This can delay further weight loss. Regular exercise may increase your metabolic rate. This can burn more calories and help you manage your weight.”
3. Lower stress and better mood
Studies show that going to the gym regularly may improve your mood and lower feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. Exercise can increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Also, physical activity can increase the release of endorphins, which helps produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.
4. Enhances skin and cellular health
Regular exercise is a vital factor in decreasing the risk of various chronic diseases, such as: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various forms of cancer, hypertension, and high LDL cholesterol. In the article “The Top 10 Benefits of Regular Exercise”, written by Arelene Semeco, she states that “Inflammation from oxidative stress can affect your skin. Oxidative stress occurs when your body’s antioxidant defenses cannot completely repair the cell damage caused by compounds known as free radicals. It can damage cell structure and negatively affect your skin.” Regular to moderate exercise can actually help alleviate stress caused by free radicals.
5. Boosts brain health and memory
Exercise in general promotes blood and oxygen flow to the brian. It also stimulates the production of hormones that enhances the growth of brain cells, and reduces inflammation from stress and anxiety. Semeco states that, “For example, exercise has been reported to increase the hippocampus’ size, which may help improve mental function. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that’s vital for memory and learning. Regular physical activity is also important for older adults because it can help slow down age-related cognitive decline and improve cognitive function in aging. It may also help reduce the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.”
**Please keep in mind that Sam is not an expert and these are suggestions based on research. Please take the suggestions with a grain of salt and to your own discretion.**
-By Sam Petragnani, Dreissig Apparel Inc. Marketing Intern
Source:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise#weight-management
Picture Sources:
https://www.aiu.edu/blog/why-exercise-is-essential-for-stronger-bones-as-we-age/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/losing-weight
https://medvisit.io/how-to-manage-stress/
https://www.nike.com/a/yoga-cardio-strength-training
https://cmha.ca/news/understanding-brain-health-and-its-connection-to-mental-well-being/
https://www.wellnessworkdays.com/post/5-habit-changes-that-will-make-going-to-the-gym-easier