Why you should look at improving your physical fitness
Everyone knows that improving physical fitness is good for your health, but why is this? You constantly hear people talking about fitness and exercise, but the exact reasons for this are often not discussed. This post will break down exactly why improving your physical fitness is good for your health and could change your life in many ways.
Physical Activity
Physical fitness is important for leading an active lifestyle, which is something that everyone strives for. Whether this is Mohammed Salah playing football at the highest possible level and scoring for fun for Liverpool or someone who has a manual labor job, improving physical fitness will be essential for performance.
Health Benefits
There are countless health benefits to improving physical fitness through regular exercise. Regular exercise can help you to:
- Lose weight
- Reduce risk of heart attack
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk of some cancers
The physical health benefits are clear, but you should also be aware of the mental health benefits. Studies show that regular exercise can help to reduce stress and improve symptoms of depression. It can be difficult when you are struggling with your mental health, but it is incredible the difference that exercise can have on your mood. This could include a simple walk outside (nature is also proven to improve mental health), running, working out in the gym, cycling, swimming, playing sports, or anything else that will get your blood pumping.
Live Longer
Studies also show that those who are physically active tend to live longer than those who do not. In addition to longevity, physical fitness contributes to a longer health span (the years that you are in good health and can enjoy a good quality of life). Therefore, regular exercise will help you to lead a longer and healthier life.
Overcoming Barriers
The benefits of improving your physical fitness are clear, but it is not easy for everyone. There are many reasons why someone might struggle to get enough exercise, including a lack of time due to work and other responsibilities or financial constraints. Additionally, many people struggle with confidence when starting exercise or a lack of motivation to keep up with a routine.
It is important to identify what the barriers are so that you can find ways to remove them. If you are worried about the costs, for example, then you could try home workouts. If you lack motivation, meanwhile, you could try an activity you find fun or set yourself a target to work toward.
With so many benefits to improving your physical fitness, it is something that everyone should strive for. The key is to find activities you enjoy doing so that it does not feel like a chore and set realistic targets to keep you motivated.
