Did you know, heart disease and stroke is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 18.6million lives each year? Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day is celebrated on the 29th of September every year.
The aim is to inform people around the globe about cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke while highlighting the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control it. Here are some suitable exercises for keeping the heart healthy and tips on how one can get started on a simple workout regime.
Exercise #1: Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercises such as stair climbing, cycling, and dancing are great workouts that can help to lower blood pressure.
Cycling can be a fun activity to do with your partner, friends, or family. Especially with Singapore’s island-wide network of park connectors, it will be a great outing and workout packed in one!
For those who dislike travelling far from the comforts of home, stair climbing is free! All you have to do is find a high-rise building and start climbing. This need not even be a dedicated exercise, but something that you incorporate into your daily life, such as forgoing the elevator whenever stairs are accessible.
Dancing is the perfect hobby to pick up to stay fit, as its wide range of styles offer low to high intensity options. It also helps improve balance, coordination, and gives you a fantastic outlet for self-expression.
Spin and dance group classes offered in gyms are also great options if you love meeting new fitness buddies and need that extra motivation from an experienced trainer to push your limits!
Exercise #2: Fitness Kickboxing
If you require aerobic exercise at a higher intensity, fitness kickboxing is a great place to start. Combining the art of self-defence with intense cardio, kickboxing is the perfect avenue for releasing any stress and frustration from the day while giving your heart a high-octane workout!
Exercise #3: Elliptical exercises
For individuals suffering from knee or lower back pain, elliptical machines are designed to take the stress off the joints and serve as an excellent alternative cardiovascular exercise that strengthens the heart, lungs and muscles. Elliptical machines also build endurance and stamina, and you can use them for both high-intensity and steady-state cardio exercises.
In light of World Heart Day, start easing into a more active lifestyle to keep your heart strong, and reap a host of other benefits such as lowering the risk of diabetes and building greater confidence today!
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