Doing just one kind of physical activity isn't going to have an effect on the aging process. Instead of resorting to solutions that are likely to end up futile, get yourself to do varying activities. Besides, this is a more enjoyable way to fight the signs of aging, preserve good health and continue being physically dynamic.
When you are not moving enough it means you aren't conditioning your body into doing anything much. Being physically incapable of doing the things you like could be a sign of aging. A combination of strength, aerobic and flexibility training can help you in more ways than one.
Strength Workout
When you do strength activities aging simply slows down. Strength training helps your bones and muscles grow stronger. Without exercise, you lose a great deal of your muscle tone. This means that your muscles won't be able to hold up your skeleton effectively. You will have recurring back pain and a deteriorating posture.
What's good about doing regular strength workouts is that your muscles become toned, skin tighter, arthritic conditions minimized and metabolic rate increase. Once your body has been conditioned to strength training, it is still able to burn fat even after you've finished working out. You can do a strength workout by weight training, resistance training (where you oppose forces), and isometric training (where you strengthen muscles without movement). The recommended amount of time to strength-train is 2-3 days per week.
If you're just exercising, isometric training is the best activity to start with, since it causes less tension. You're only required to flex your muscles repetitively, without really applying a range of movements.
Aerobic Activities
Doing an aerobic workout is the best activity anyone can do to delay the aging process. Anyone from a child to an adult can do cardiovascular exercises. Cardiovascular exercises involve running, brisk-walking, and other exercises that require more endurance than full-on power.
Aerobic training is also known as cardiovascular training because it aids in the healthy circulation of blood in the body. Healthy circulation helps bring sufficient amounts of oxygen to different parts of the body. It is responsible for your coordinating skills, responsive mechanisms and mental clarity. When blood circulation is weak, you may become easily faint, develop migraines and acquire severe problems like heart disease and dementia.
The advantages of doing an aerobic workout are better endurance, minimized mental and physical stress, and reduced blood pressure. It is recommended that at least 20 minutes of aerobic training be incorporated into your exercise program.
Flexibility Workout
Anyone who is getting into any type of exercise, be it cardiovascular or strength, needs to do some flexibility workout. This is why you are always told to warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards. Doing a flexibility workout enhances joint, skeletal and muscular health so that you can maximize your physical and mental capabilities.
Benefits of flexibility training include alleviation of joint problems that cause discomfort and wider range of bodily movement. Performing a flexibility exercise for 30 seconds per day can already increase range of movement and improve overall flexibility.
Incorporating strength, aerobic and flexibility training into your anti aging exercise regimen can give you the benefit of having more speed, power, balance and agility to defy aging.