23 Jan Another reason to exercise: it makes you smarter

Everyone knows that exercise can improve your muscle tone, but did you know it can even help make you smarter?
According to healthfinder.gov, among the benefits of exercise are that it can Improve your ability to think, learn, make decisions and improve your mood.
Numerous research studies have shown a link between improved cognitive functioning and exercise in elderly people.
Harvard Medical School psychiatrist John Ratey is the author of the book “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.”
Ratey reports that exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors. It is these growth factors that help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells to help us learn.
Regular exercise can also lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Some people may wonder how much exercise does it take to “be healthy.”
Although each person is obviously different, healthfinder.gov recommends people should aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activities.
To do this people should choose activities that get their heart beating faster, such as walking fast, jogging, or even household chores such as raking leaves.
The key is to gradually build up to 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Let your doctor know if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or unplanned weight loss. Also, if you have chronic health problems such as heart disease or diabetes, talk with your doctor before beginning a fitness program.
More and more research shows that it’s important to do strength training exercises at least 2-3 times per week, even for senior citizens. This can help greatly with not only muscle tone, but coordination and balance and even strengthens bones.
Visit a specialty fitness store such as At Home Fitness in Arizona for tips on what types of exercise equipment can help you meet your goals of getting regular exercise.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com