Only a few people are aware that there are different types of exercise.
Many think that exercise comprises a single physical activity that will get them in shape by doing it every day. Many believe that you are good to go if you can jog at least 30 minutes in the morning for at least five times a week.
Although there is nothing wrong about it, you should understand that you should also add workouts based on the other types of exercise to ensure your overall wellness and to strengthen your body.
So, what are the different kinds of exercise? Why do you need to set a program that comprises all of them?
Different Kinds of Exercise
Cardiovascular Exercise
If you love to walk or jog in the morning. These exercises fall under this category.
It is a physical activity that spikes up your heart rate. According to the American Sports Medicine Institute, cardiovascular exercise is a unique type of muscular endurance that exercises the vascular system, lungs, and the heart that promotes the delivery of oxygen to the muscle tissues as they work.
Cardio exercises have several health benefits, which include improved heart wellness, enhanced stamina, and burned calories.
There are subcategories of cardiovascular exercises, which are the high-intensity workout and low-intensity workout. High-intensity workouts tend to burn calories more than the low-intensity workouts.
Examples of cardiovascular exercises:
- Biking
- Brisk Walking
- Treadmill
- Running
- Aerobics
- Swimming
Strength or Resistance Training
Strength or resistance training aims to build anaerobic endurance, skeletal muscle size, and strength. These goals become possible because this exercise makes use of muscle contraction resistance.
It forms the endurance for you to have stronger muscles that will improve your exercise performance, including your overall activities that require physical strength.
Strength training is also one of the different types of exercise that burn calories, although it is not its primary objective.
Many people think that you can only perform this kind of exercise if you have equipment like barbells, dumbbells, and the like. Even if you do not have them, you can use the weight of your body to perform strength or resistance training.
Examples of Strength Training:
- Resistance bands
- Push-ups
- Crunches
- Leg squats
- Weight machines
- Weightlifting
Flexibility Exercise
Flexibility refers to your body’s ability to perform motions at a full range. Many people overlook this type of exercise and focus on cardio and strength training without it. Some people, although aware of the importance of flexibility exercise, they set aside a day focusing on it.
Although there is nothing wrong about it, many experts suggest that you should include flexibility training in your daily exercise program. It is because stretching and other flexibility exercises provide a proper body warm-up that prepares your body. By adding this type of training in your routine, it eliminates the risk of sores and injuries as you exercise.
It is essential not to overlook this type of exercise because physical flexibility is vital in life. It allows you to execute various motions and keeps your body mobile as you age. Also, it improves posture.
Examples of Flexibility Exercise:
- Roll down stretch
- Yoga
- Triceps stretch
- Neck stretch
- Chest stretch
- Downward dog stretch
- Side stretch
- Hip flexor stretch
- Cat stretch
- Samson stretch
- Seated torso twist stretch
Now that you know that there are different kinds of exercise, you can develop your daily routine. Do take note that you should assess yourself first based on your age and physical abilities. You may ask for help from a fitness expert. Based on the assessment, you can develop workouts based on the different types of exercise.
