Why should we exercise? This is a great question! There are countless reasons, but our individual lists may look very differently. I personally think the fact that people exercise to lose weight is the very reason exercise gets a bad rap. We should workout because we enjoy it and because it makes us feel better and makes us stronger.
Let’s take runners for example. If you lined up 10 of them and asked why they run, you may very well get 15 different answers. I know, math isn’t one of my strengths.
Here are some reasons you might hear that keep runners on the road and on the trail!
- the outdoors
- motivate others
- push limits
- sense of freedom and happiness
- relieve stress
- Strengthen bones
- stimulate brain
- great for mental health
- feeling of accomplishment
- friends and the running community
- do it anywhere
- meditation
- runner’s high
- exercise
- running gear
I can pick any sport and make a list, but you get the point. Running doesn’t have to be your sport. It could be walking, HIIT, barre, yoga, boxing, Jui Jitsu, kickboxing, tai chi, paddleboarding, boot camp, CrossFit, swimming, dance, Zumba, strength training, cycling, etc. Some may have more benefits than others, especially depending on your goals, but it’s about making fitness a lifestyle. Therefore, it’s important you find one or more you truly enjoy, so you can stick with it. It’s okay if it changes along the way. When and if something is no longer fun, tweak it or mix it up.
Reasons to Exercise
- Cardiovascular Health – Exercise helps your heart, lungs, and muscles work together with increased efficiency.
- Improves Mood – Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.
- Lowers Anxiety – As your levels of endorphins increase, your feelings of worry start to reduce.
- Better Memory – Exercise allows your brain to get more energy and oxygen.
- Improves your Posture – A strong core will contribute to a better posture.
- Boosts energy – Exercise delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your tissues helping your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. When your heart and lung health improve, your energy increases.
- Boosts your confidence – Not only can exercise improve your appearance, it can make you feel more accomplished and social, which can also boost self-confidence.
- Reduces stress – Exercise releases natural stress-fighting endorphins and simply helps clear your mind.
- Promotes better Sleep – The physical activity you engage in during the day helps your body’s circadian rhythm keep in tune.
- Amps up your sex life – Exercise can improve energy, physical appearance, and confidence, which can lead to a better sex life. It can also increase arousal and decrease risk for erectile dysfunction.
- Improves your immune system – Exercise promotes good circulation so the cells and substances of your immune system can move through your body and do their jobs effectively and efficiently
- Keeps bones strong – Our bodies lose bone tissue as we age, so exercise is important for bone health, specifically weight bearing exercise.
- Lowers Type 2 Diabetes risk – Regular exercise can improve our body’s ability to metabolize glucose.
- Reduces blood pressure – The stronger our heart is, the greater its ability to pump blood through the arteries. This helps reduce blood pressure.
- Burns Fat – There are a few ways this happens. One way is by building muscle. When we build muscle, we burn fat.
- Builds muscle mass – Our bodies lose muscle mass as we age; strength training (weight lifting) will keep our muscles strong.
- Improves joints – Exercise helps manage arthritis discomfort and maintains joint range of motion.
- It’s Fun & Social – Finding exercises you enjoy offers opportunities to do things that make you happy. It’s also time you can share with friends and family.