Advertising feature
REGULAR and beneficial exercise comes in a range of forms these days and can be enjoyed in a social atmosphere, rather than feeling like a chore. Here are six activities to try from Dr Sharon Hetherington, an accredited exercise physiologist working for Exercise & Sports Science Australia.
1. Yoga/ Tai Chi/Pilates. Each of these practices will help you to improve your flexibility, balance and coordination. The deliberate movements and holding of postures provide a gentle stretching and strengthening routine. There is also an element of mindfulness to these practices and that is a powerful therapeutic technique used to reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Walking. Even a short walk (say for 10 minutes) at a moderate pace will raise your heart rate, increase blood flow around your body and to your brain, and lower levels of stress hormones.
3. Dance can be a great cardiovascular workout that also challenges our balance and coordination. It can be done at a variety of intensities from low to moderate ballroom dancing to high-intensity jazz and modern dance.
4. Cycling is a low impact (less jarring) activity that is very good for your joints, your knees and hips in particular. It also tones the muscles of the lower leg, thigh and buttocks.
5. Swimming is another low-impact activity that can be enjoyed at a range of intensities. It takes place in a buoyant (weightless) environment so there is virtually no jarring of joints.
This feature is brought to you by:
