Here’s What Not Exercising is Really Doing to Us

We all know that fitness is important. But how bad, really, are our sedentary lifestyles? The journal  JAMA Network published the findings of a recent study that tells us in no uncertain terms – and it isn’t pretty. According to the study, leading a sedentary lifestyle is probably worse for your health than a smoking habit and actually on par with having a serious disease. But there is a cure. And it’s as simple as exercise.

A 13-Year Study

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic tested 122,007 participants on treadmills between 1991 and 2014, with mortality rates later recorded. Those capable of higher levels of exercise were strongly linked to longer, healthier lives. That’s interesting, but there was a much more striking finding related to the inverse relationship between sedentary lifestyles and shorter lifespans. The verdict? One of the study’s co-authors spelled it out in a CNN interview, asserting that poor fitness on a treadmill or in an exercise stress test is associated with a worse prognosis in terms of mortality than having hypertension, being diabetic, or having a smoking habit.

The study encouraged health care providers to promote the benefits of consistent exercise as a necessary form of preventative medicine to their patients, and that’s something we think is critical. The benefits of exercise are numerous – feeling better, sleeping better, looking better, sleeping better – but it’s the consequences of the alternative – not exercising – that are so problematic.

Getting Started

If the goal is a longer, healthier life, you might think there’s no time to waste. And while that’s true to a degree, you’re better off getting started with a little direction. Before you dive headfirst into fitness, consider working with a personal trainer like those here at Framework Personal Training, a private, by-appointment studio here in Reno. Our certified trainers can work with you to create a customized plan that will bring you all of the benefits of fitness. Our trainers are highly trained and experienced, making them uniquely qualified to work with people from all walks of life. It all starts with a consultation, where you can meet your trainer, share your goals and concerns, and make a plan for fitness that suits your lifestyle.

It’s Never Too Late

There are many benefits to a consistent exercise program, and this study is proof that serious consequences stem from not exercising. It sounds melodramatic, but it’s true – our sedentary lifestyles are killing us. The cure is exercise. Take responsibility for your lifestyle and contact the trainers at Framework Personal Training in Reno now.