Staying fit and active isn’t necessarily all about losing weight.
Taking part in regular exercise can reduce the risk of major illnesses and lower the risk of early death by up to 30%.
The NHS says whatever a person’s age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can lead to a healthier and happier life.
February is Heart Month, and lowering the risk of coronary heart disease is among the benefits of regular exercise.
For those already living with such conditions, exercise can lead to a better quality of life and ability to carry out everyday tasks for longer.
How does exercise improve heart health?
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says there are three types of exercise that are best for heart health: aerobic exercise, resistance training and balance and flexibility exercises.
Aerobic exercise helps the heart and circulatory system to work better by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Aerobic exercise usually involves the large muscle groups making movements which get the heart rate up and respiration (breathing) up. This means more oxygen is taken in by the body to supply the muscles and produce energy.
This in turn improves cardio and respiratory function, strengthening the heart and lungs and making them more efficient.
Resistance training is also known as strength training, designed to make the muscles work harder.
Strength training helps to ensure the body keeps performing. With strong muscles there’s less demand on the heart and the easier it will be to complete everyday tasks without getting tired or out of breath.
Balance and flexibility exercises improve the ability of the muscles and joints to maintain necessary movement.
The NHS says these types of exercises can reduce the chance of falling or picking up an injury, as well as improve posture and reduce aches and pains.
Keeping muscles flexible helps everyone to move more easily, enabling people to carry on including physical activity in their daily routines.
Exercises that are best for heart health
The cardiovascular range of outdoor gym equipment from Sunshine Gym supports aerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercise includes the likes of walking and cycling and other outdoor fitness workouts also count.
The Double Health Walker works the lower body through a walking movement which gets the heart pumping but which is gentler on the joints, like ankles, hips and knees, than running or using a traditional treadmill.
This is also a great way to warm-up before a workout, or five minutes on the Bicycle is also an effective way to get the body prepared for aerobic activity.
Again, similar to an indoor exercise bike, the Bicycle is really easy to use and depending how hard and for how long the user pedals, it’s a real calorie-burner.
The Sky Stepper from Sunshine Gym is another good aerobic workout, either on its own or as part of a varied outdoor gym routine.
It's particularly good for those who don’t enjoy running but want to gain some of the same benefits.
The Sky Stepper is similar to a cross trainer and engages the whole body challenging muscle groups such as the legs and arms as well as the core.
Sunshine Gym also offers a range of outdoor gym equipment focused on strength training, using body weight rather than free weights.
The Double Squat Push encourages a squat movement working the muscles in the legs and hips. Good lower body strength is needed for activities like climbing the stairs, bending and lifting.
The Combi Pull Down Challenger & Power Push promotes upper body strength and works the back muscles as well as the arms and shoulders.
A strong back is essential for good posture and helps to protect again injury when going about daily tasks.
At Sunshine Gym, the flexibility and balance range is aimed at improving mobility and range of motion.
Outdoor gym equipment for flexibility and balance includes the Tai Chi Discs which encourage mindfulness as well as gentle stretching.
The Waist Twister is ideal for warm ups and cool downs, getting the lower body turning from side to side to support core strength and promote balance.
Please note: This blog is for educational purposes only. Speak to a doctor before beginning any physical activity for the first time. Stop exercising immediately should you feel any discomfort such as faintness, dizziness, pain or shortness of breath.