Be Stronger, Live Longer

“So, is pilates the best exercise?” was one question after last week’s post.

The best exercises are the ones that you can do (cost, location, ability) and actually like — making a plan to do an exercise you hate will never work. Trust me on this one. Ideally, activity throughout a week will include some moderate cardio (like walking), some strength, as well as some balance/flexibility.

Research shows that if you want to live longer and healthier – reduce risk of heart disease, frailty, osteoporosis, and stroke – add strength training to your physical activity.

Most patients just think lifting weights in the gym when they hear “strength”. But strength activities can also include yoga, pilates, tai chi, or classes using resistance bands or exercises that use your own body like squats and lunges. Strength workouts can be done in water. Activities in a gym that do including weights or machines are also good options. Start slowly and get help if you are new to any activity, and always ask your doc or a chartered and CORU-registered physiotherapist for advice if you have any health concerns.

And it makes a big difference: “I didnt’ realise how I had no upper body strength at all!” one patient remarked to me recently when she started adding some stops at the local outdoor exercise machines on her walk.

Some patients tell me they aren’t sure how to use local exercise equipment. Do you have a local set of equipment that perplexes you? Let me know the location in the comments. Depending on where it is, I’ll try to get some more videos done in coming weeks that explains and introduces some of the more confusing looking machines.