Your Heart Has a Good Reason to Love Exercise
We all know regular exercise is good for us, but did you know it can reduce your risk of developing heart disease too?
February is American Heart Month – an opportunity to cast the spotlight on our most vital organ and the proactive steps we can take to focus on heart health. While eating a healthy diet, eliminating smoking, and reducing your alcohol consumption are all proven strategies to prevent heart disease, it's physical activity that has been shown to dramatically improve your chances for a long and healthy life.
Curious just how big of an impact movement can have on your heart health? Read on.
A Little Bit of Movement Can Make a Big Impact.
With more of us working from home and in sedentary jobs, our risk of developing serious medical concerns like heart disease and diabetes significantly increases. In fact, those who typically sit at work have a 16 percent higher risk of mortality and a 34 percent higher risk of heart disease compared to those who don't.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to commit to an hour or more a day for exercise to see improvements in your health.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that as little as five minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day can have a positive effect on your health in the long term, including lowering your BMI (body mass index) and blood sugar (A1c) levels. Examples of moderate activity include brisk walking, hiking, or bicycling, while vigorous activity includes running, weightlifting and circuit training.
Colder weather can make it harder to find the motivation to exercise outside during winter months. If you picked up outdoor running (or walking) last year, consider shifting your routine to the treadmill to get your steps in and boost your aerobic activity for the day.
If you're looking for a new way to maximize physical activity indoors in a short amount of time, the BowFlex Max Trainer might be a good option for you. Part stair stepper, part elliptical, this innovative cardio machine is a great space-saving addition to your home gym. Even just a few minutes of full-body HIIT (high intensity interval training) or low-intensity steady-state training on the Max Trainer can get your heart pumping indoors.
Cardio + Strength Training = a Winning Combination.
If lifting weights is your thing, you're in luck because experts agree that combining cardio and strength training is an effective way to lower your risk for heart disease and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
If you're comfortable getting your cardio in on a treadmill or exercise bike, but adding strength training into your routine feels daunting, workout apps like JRNY® can help. You can follow along with a trainer-led workout using only your bodyweight, or level up your next strength session with versatile equipment like adjustable dumbbells or a kettlebell. Incorporating just two 20-30 minute strength training sessions per week can have a measurable impact on both your physical and mental health.
Whether you have 5 minutes or 50 minutes to spare, consider using that time to get moving. Your heart will thank you!
Top Product Picks to Get Your Heart Pumping
- The BowFlex T9: Meet our newest treadmill, offering Apple Watch connectivity to keep your metrics in sync and QuickDial controls for rapid speed and incline changes. The 20"x60" XL deck gives you plenty of runway for every walk, jog, or run and it easily stows away when not in use.
- The BowFlex Max Total 16: This multi-tasker combines the low-impact motion of an elliptical with the calorie-burning power of a stepper, delivering efficient, full-body workouts. It features a 16" interactive console and space-saving design that works in any home gym.
- The BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells: This home gym staple replace 15 sets of weights thanks to a compact design, and allows for quick adjustments between 5 to 52.5 pounds with a simple turn of a dial.
Have you checked out our Sale page yet? Browse our best deals on bikes, treadmills, home gyms, weights and more.
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