The Most Important Medicine for All of Us in 2019

You’ve heard the expression, exercise is medicine. But how accurate is that, really? Is exercise truly as effective as prescriptive medication? The evidence is very clear that the health benefits of exercise are impressive. Here’s why exercise is the most important medicine for all of us in 2019.

The Researched Benefits of Exercise

According to Harvard Medical School, a study from 2013 found exercise “to be as effective as drugs at preventing death from the most common killer diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” Studies in 2014 found that even moderate exercise can improve heart function and sharpen skills like verbal memory, and other studies found links between exercise and regulated blood sugar, reduced pain from arthritis, and improved cognition in those living with dementia.

That’s in addition to other proven benefits of exercise, which include:

• reduced risk of diseases and illnesses like type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, heart disease, stroke, and depression
• improved balance, reducing the risk of falls
• improved sleep, endurance, agility
• improved self-esteem and a better sex life

How It Works

Movement is what our bodies are designed for, and it’s the very act of moving that causes our muscles to release substances that trigger a phenomenal domino effect. These substances lower blood pressure and insulin levels, reduce bad cholesterol, boost good cholesterol, reduce inflammation, relax the walls of blood vessels, and move efficiently move glucose from the blood to the cells. Combined, these are the actions that improve our health and reduce our risks of disease.

So how much is enough? Just thirty minutes of moderate physical activity every day is enough to reap the benefits of exercise, and that includes mindful walking. Of course, you can enjoy the addition perks of fitness – fat loss, improved muscle tone, improved endurance, strength and balance – even more with a personal trainer, like the certified trainers here at Framework Personal Training in Reno. Not only will a trainer create a personalized plan that accounts for your current fitness level and your goals, he or she will ensure that you’re performing exercises safely, correctly and effectively. A trainer is a great idea if you’re new to the gym or wondering where to begin with this exercise prescription, and it’s their job to help you succeed.

The most important medicine for all of us in 2019 is exercise, and it’s never too late to start. The benefits of strength training in particular for promoting a longer, healthier, safer life can’t be denied, and the trainers at Framework Personal Training in Reno are ready and waiting to help you get started. Contact us today.