Benefits of Regular Aerobic Exercise

You will accrue many health and fitness benefits if you perform regular aerobic exercise. Here's a partial list:

• Burns calories (see below for calorie expenditure of different activities)



• Improves endurance



• Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes



• Lowers moderately high blood pressure



• Improves bone density (particularly weight-bearing activities like walking)



• Reduces the risk of certain cancers (breast, colon)



• Improves the likelihood of surviving a heart attack



• Alleviates symptoms of depression (in some cases as effectively as medication or psychotherapy)



• Reduces body fat



• Can improve balance and performance of activities of daily living (for example, shopping, cleaning, playing with grandkids)



• Can reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis



• Increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol)



• Decreased blood triglycerides



• Improve weight control



• Improve glucose tolerance and reduce insulin resistance