Joining a commercial gym can seem really daunting at first–it might seem like the kind of place that’s only for super athletic, already-fit people. However, it can be one of the best decisions that you make for your health. Exercising can give you many health benefits. Although losing weight is the most popular, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The good effects of working out can affect a lot more than just your waistline. Did you know that working out can affect how you feel, think, and even how you sleep?
In this article, we’ll be giving you the breakdown of just how amazing exercise can be as we spoke with Matt, a personal trainer at Rec Xpress Clayton. Keep reading to see how working out can be great for you both inside and out!
1. Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Most heart diseases are caused by two things: fat build-up in your blood vessels from an unhealthy diet or too much strain on your heart from being too heavy for your appropriate BMI or Body Mass Index. When you work out, you address both of these problems. Your heart is able to pump blood through your veins more freely and your blood pressure is at a healthier ratio.
Working out, particularly doing cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, jogging, and biking can help dissolve fat before it hardens in your blood vessels. Although working out doesn’t automatically mean losing weight because it can increase your muscle mass, it definitely burns extra fat. This means less of the excess weight which your heart (and joints) need to bear.
2. Weight Management
Jumping off of point number one, weight management is very important when it comes to staying healthy and happy. Recent studies have shown that obesity is correlated with depression and a lack of motivation. Maintaining just the right weight for your height means that your body can function how it’s supposed to, with enough blood, oxygen, and hormones.
A lot of people think that exercising means becoming a triathlete or a professional boxer, but this isn’t always true. When you start to feel tired while doing particularly exhausting exercises, just think to yourself that exercise is an investment in your future. Working out can affect even everyday things like your ability to change a lightbulb, mow your lawn, or clean your car. By managing your weight, you also find ways to manage your time and your life plans more effectively.
3. Deep Sleep
Not all sleep is quality sleep. It takes a certain depth for sleep to be restful–and rest is something that all of us need. Did you know that for your body to recuperate and clear out all of the toxins it’s accumulated during the day, you should be asleep by 11:00 PM? In our times of sitting in an office chair and watching our screens all day, it can be very hard to get a really good, deep night’s sleep.
This works in two ways. First, exercising regularly helps you expend extra energy while also tiring your body out–in a good way. Second, physically exerting yourself allows you to release stress, giving you a better disposition for sleep once you end the day. If you’re having a hard time sleeping, you can try doing some nighttime yoga or going for a brisk walk around your neighborhood. The exercise itself can also be treated as a kind of meditation: what comes to mind when you strike this pose? What are five gym goals that you’re really happy that you achieved this week?
4. Happy Hormones
Exercising makes your body release endorphins. These chemicals react to your brain’s chemicals and make lessen the perception of pain and, on an internal level, sadness, disappointment, and depression. Although it’s by no means a replacement for therapy or medication (if needed), working out can provide a healthy burst of happy hormones when you’re having a sad or stressful day.
It can also change your body’s reaction to stressful situations, making it easier for you to destress in the future. Endorphins have also been correlated to more confidence, higher self-esteem, and an increase in motivation. If you’re feeling stuck or like you don’t have the confidence to get back on the ball, try jogging for around fifteen minutes on the treadmill and we promise you’ll feel better.
5. Clear Skin
Sweating it out is great for your skin–you can de-clog your pores and lower your oxidative stress levels. High oxidative stress levels make the skin more prone to the effects of aging because oxidative stress makes your skin incapable of fighting damage from free radicals. Even if it’s true that exercising a lot can also deplete a lot of your body’s natural collagen, it also increases your body’s production of antioxidants which are great for skin, hair, and teeth.
Working out regularly can also increase blood flow and encourage your skin to shed dead skin, revealing fresh, new skin. Exercising can help you maintain the structure and suppleness of the skin, making sure you preserve your beauty no matter what age you are.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great way to be happier and healthier, then joining a commercial gym is definitely for you. You may not realize it but there are many reasons why joining a gym will give you plenty of great benefits.
Indeed, working out gives you lots of benefits inside and out. On one hand, regular exercise helps you become more beautiful on the outside by giving you clear skin, shiny hair, and a toned figure. However, it doesn’t stop there– working out can also enhance who you are on the inside and influence the kind of lifestyle that you live day-to-day.
Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. Most commercial gyms have awesome classes and solo work out plans that can be tailored to your individual needs. If you have bad knees, you can opt for a low-impact cardio dance class. If you have a bad back, skip the weights and do the bodyweight exercises instead.
They say that it only takes the average person 12 times to make something a habit. If you start right now and work exercise into your daily schedule, you will find yourself healthier, more radiant, and more motivated in no time.
