Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover in this blog:
- Why exercise is important to our overall health
- How exercise can be beneficial for our longevity
- How to get moving—no matter what age you are
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your overall health and longevity. Unfortunately, almost half of U.S. adults don’t get enough exercise.
It can probably seem challenging to find the time or energy to exercise, let alone knowing what type of physical activity is most beneficial for your health. If you’re struggling to build exercise into your daily routine, let us help. At AgelessRx, we’ve got the insights and tips to make exercise a key part of your life.
Keep reading to learn more about exercise, its connection to longevity, and our recommendations for incorporating quality exercise into your routine.
Why is exercise so important?
Physical activity is undeniably important to our overall health. According to the CDC, physical activity can benefit nearly every aspect of your health. Specifically, it can help:
- Improve brain health
- Assist with weight management
- Decrease risks for certain disease
- Increase bone and muscle strength
Unfortunately, many people live increasingly sedentary lifestyles (e.g., they get little to no movement or exercise). Prolonged periods of inactivity can negatively impact blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels. Physical activity can reverse these negative effects. Even if you sit all day (say, for work), small amounts of physical activity could help reduce the effects of sitting. Low-impact activities like walking or riding a bike can be beneficial, as just a little physical activity can go a long way.
What’s the connection between exercise and longevity?
While it’s hard to prove an actual cause-effect relationship between exercise and longevity, there is a lot of research that strongly suggests exercise can positively impact longevity.
For example, research shows that overall deaths from any cause are reduced by about 30% in people who were physically active, and that exercise could add an estimated 6 months to almost 7 years to your life expectancy. Another study found that people who were more “fit” lived longer. “Fitness” in this context refers to cardiorespiratory fitness, or how effectively your heart and lungs can move blood and oxygen throughout the body. Regular physical activity can boost your cardiorespiratory fitness.
Exercise also reduces your risk of chronic diseases that impact longevity (such as hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease).
What kind of exercise should I be doing?
Here’s a little secret: the type of exercise you do doesn’t matter as much as accomplishing certain goals while doing activity. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from physical activity.
Our tip? Focus on getting your heart rate up, no matter your age. Specifically, we recommend hitting your optimal heart beat range for 30 or more minutes three to five times a week.
How do you know what your optimal range is for your age while exercising? Here’s a simple formula:
- Take 220 minus your age. This is the high-end of your range
- Take 70% of your high-end. This is the low-end or your range
So, if you’re 50 years old, your high-end range would be 170 (220 minus 50). Your low end would be about 119 (170 x 70%). So, you should aim to have a heart rate between 119 and 170 beats per minute (bpm) when doing physical activity.
How can AgelessRx help?
We offer several ways to help you make exercise more central to your life. This includes prescriptions like NAD+ and B12—both of which can help increase your energy levels to give you the boost you need.
Ready to take off running with exercise? Take our free online assessment to learn more about your exercise habits and get personalized strategies to help you work towards better fitness today!
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.