Search Results for: blog what is moderate intensity exercise

Do You Protect Your Eyes When You Exercise?

I once doled out $120 for a pair of sunglasses designed specifically for runners. I wore them once during a marathon and haven’t used them since. I bought them after reading several articles about the importance of eyewear for long distance runners. I worried about my cornea’s being burned while running in sunny conditions and the increase risk of cancer associated with lack of proper eyewear, so I bought the sunglasses… and now I barely use them partially because I can never find them when I need them and partially because I don’t enjoy having to constantly fiddle with them … Continue reading →

Exercise is Child’s Play

A new study shows that individuals, who have a hard time sticking with structured fitness plans, can still reap the benefits of exercise by participating in child-like play. Researchers maintain that the type of calorie-burning, mind-stimulating play that children often partake in can also benefit older individuals. For example, the study found that tossing a Frisbee, dancing, and rock climbing were some of the most effective ways for adults to incorporate play into their exercise routines. According to the study, which was recently published in the Compendium of Physical Activities, a 150-pound person can burn up to 322 calories by … Continue reading →

Defining Your Exercise Personality

Do you gravitate towards certain types of gym equipment more than others? Do you struggle to stick with your exercise routine? Experts say the way you answer those questions plays a big part in defining your fitness personality type. Researchers at the American College of Sports Medicine suggest that there are five distinct personality types that exercisers can use to develop successful fitness regimens. What’s more, experts maintain that using the personality types is a great way to structure a lasting exercise routine. The following are the fitness personality types as defined by researchers at the American College of Sports … Continue reading →

Regular Exercise Can Make You Smarter

It’s not a claim made by a chain fitness club, but the results of a new study: Regular exercise can help stimulate your brain functions. According to new research published in the journal Hippocampus, elderly adults who are more physically fit tend to have bigger hippocampi and better spatial memory than those who are less fit. The hippocampus is a brain structure vital to certain types of memory. It is located deep inside the medial temporal lobe of the brain, and according to researchers, bigger is better when it comes to hippocampus size. Researchers believe certain activities modify hippocampus size … Continue reading →

What is Moderate-Intensity Exercise?

The government suggests that Americans engage in 150 minutes of “moderate-intensity physical activity” per week. But, have you ever wondered what qualifies as “moderate-intensity” exercise? Is it defined as walking, jogging, running, hiking, or does raking leaves count? Fitness experts have determined that a rate of at least 100 steps per minute achieves moderate-intensity activity. Meaning that if you were to purchase a basic pedometer and record 3000 steps in 30 minutes, then you would be participating in moderately intense exercise, and therefore engaging in a meaningful fitness program. For the record, pedometers are unable to measure activity intensity. However, … Continue reading →

Finding Time to Exercise

I know what you are thinking—-you can barely find time to take a shower and brush your teeth, so how can you possibly find time to fulfill the government’s recommendation of exercising five days a week? Fitness experts suggest exercising less, but with more intensity. Basically, if you can’t devote five days a week to exercise then train three days, but pick up the pace during those sessions. For example, if your fitness routine includes using a treadmill or stationary bike run or pedal at your normal pace, then pick up the pace for five minutes before easing off for … Continue reading →

The Best Exercises to Burn Major Calories

If you are a busy parent, who spends his or her day in a chaotic hurricane cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and carting kids to and from school then finding the most efficient and effective exercises is critical. So, which cardio exercises burn the most calories? Fitness experts say the answer is not exactly as clear cut as most people think. When it comes to cardio training there are two major categories: “Slow and Steady” and “High Intensity.” The former consists of low intensity exercises that help preserve your joints and are done for roughly 60 minutes at a time. In … Continue reading →

Exercise and Nutrition

Now that you know how many calories it takes to swim as well as Michael Phelps you might be tempted to “Be Like Mike” and add an extra 10,000 calories to your diet too. Experts say don’t bother. While nutrition plays a major role in an exercise routine, a person’s diet should be tailored individually. Adequate calories and nutrients are essential for physical performances, but elite athletes generally require higher amounts of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than amateur fitness buffs. According to fitness experts, carbohydrates are very important because they provide the energy that fuels muscle … Continue reading →

Your Child: The Reluctant Exerciser

Is your child a reluctant exerciser? The best way to work with a reluctant exerciser in your family is to set the right example for them. My neighbor across the street is great in this respect. Her thirteen year old doesn’t care for physical activity, but they walk together every evening or they go out rollerblading together. The plan is to keep her exercising and moving – whether she is doing it with her mom or with her friends. For those of you not worried about childhood obesity with your kids, there’s another great reason to encourage exercising in your … Continue reading →

Low Intensity Burns More Fat

Ultimately, when it comes to weight loss – no matter what the various program offerings out there suggest – it all boils down to burning more calories than you consume. While weight loss requires some lifestyle changes including better eating habits, better use of physical activity and better sleeping habits – the simple fact is that if you put out more than you take in – you’re going to lose weight. If you were wondering why low intensity would melt more pounds than high intensity – because that doesn’t seem to make much logical sense. Understand that high intensity workouts … Continue reading →