Christopher K. Quinsey, MD is an OBGYN providing compassionate, thorough and attentive care for women and their health care needs in Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Spings, Orlando, and throughout Volusia county.
What are the benefits of exercise?
Regular exercise can provide the following health benefits:
Reduce the risk of heart disease by strengthening your heart, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood pressure
Decrease the risk of diabetes and certain types of cancer
Increase your flexibility
Give you more energy
Strengthen your muscles
Help control your weight
Build and maintain strong bones
Relieve stress
Help you sleep better
May help with depression and anxiety
What are the types of exercise?
There are two types of exercises—cardiovascular (or aerobic) exercise and strength training. A mix of both is best.
In addition to these exercises, every workout should include exercises to promote flexibility. This means careful stretching of the muscles and joints. Some exercise programs, such as Pilates and yoga, are specifically designed to improve flexibility.
All strength training and some cardiovascular exercise is weight bearing. This means that, during exercise, your body is supporting your weight against gravity. This promotes bone density and protects against osteoporosis.
What does cardiovascular exercise do?
Cardiovascular exercise causes your heart and lungs to work harder to build fitness. Improving the fitness of your heart and lungs increases your body’s ability to use oxygen. Also, it burns calories, which helps you lose weight. Cardiovascular exercise also helps build endurance. The more endurance you have, the longer you can exercise.
Examples of cardiovascular exercise are:
Swimming
Running
Bicycling
Walking
Cross-country skiing
Aerobic activities
What does strength training do?
Strength training, also called resistance training, builds muscle and slows bone loss. Exerting force on your muscles and bones helps to strengthen them. As you build muscle, your body will become more toned. The more muscle you have, the better your body burns calories. Examples of strength training include:
Lifting weights
Using weight machines
Using resistance bands
Push-ups
Leg lifts
Squats
Sit-ups
How often and how much should I exercise?
To decrease the risk of chronic disease—exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
To maintain weight—exercise about 60 minutes on most days of the week. You should not eat more calories than you burn.
To lose weight—exercise at least 60–90 minutes on most days of the week. You will likely have to reduce the number of calories you eat.
How do I begin an exercise routine?
If you are in good health, you do not have to see your health care provider before you begin a moderate exercise program. However, some people may need extra care. You should talk with your health care provider before starting an exercise program if
you are older than 50 years and plan a vigorous program
you have a chronic medical condition or are at increased risk of a medical condition
you are very overweight (obese)
you are pregnant
If it has been some time since you have exercised regularly, you should start exercising slowly and gradually. You can spread exercise throughout the day. Plan your exercise program to suit your interests and lifestyle.
Why should I warm up and cool down before and after exercising?
Warm-up exercises prepare your heart and muscles for more intense activity and prevent injuries. Cooling down helps your body return to normal after exercise.
Start the exercise session with a warm-up period for 5–10 minutes. This is light activity, such as slow walking or stationary cycling at a low resistance.
After exercising, cool down by slowly reducing your activity. This allows your heart rate to return to near-normal levels.
Cooling down for 5–10 minutes and stretching will increase flexibility and prevent muscle soreness.
How do I know when I am working out too hard?
The following signs indicate that you may be working too hard:
Excessive muscle soreness or pain
Problems breathing
Feeling very tired for the whole workout
Nausea
Vomiting
Faintness
Dizziness
Irregular heartbeat
If any of these signs occur, you should stop working out. The next time you exercise, do not work quite so hard. If you still have problems, see your health care provider.
How can injuries from exercise occur?
Women who routinely exercise too much may get injuries because of repeated stress on their muscles and bones. These injuries include stress fractures, shin splints (which cause pain at the lower front part of the leg), and knee injuries. Exercises that can cause stress injuries include high–impact aerobics and running.
How can I avoid injury during exercise?
One way to avoid injury is to rest on some days or alternate between vigorous and lighter activity. Another way is to cross-train, which means doing different activities, such as tennis and swimming. Water-based activities, such as swimming or water aerobics, are low–impact exercises that are ideal for older women. Water aerobics, however, is not a weight-bearing exercise and will not help prevent osteoporosis.
Glossary
Calorie: A unit of heat used to express the fuel or energy value of food.
Cardiovascular Exercise: Exercise designed to promote a healthy heart and blood vessels.