There may be many reasons you exercise, but one important reason you may not consider is for Bone Health.
Like muscle, bone is actually a living tissue which will respond to exercise by getting stronger. Exercise helps us build bone density when we are younger and maintain it as we get older. Otherwise, we naturally will lose bone density as we age.
The form of exercise needs to be weight bearing for this to work. Non-weight bearing activities such as swimming and biking have muscular and cardiovascular benefits but do not increase or maintain bone density.
The best form of exercise for maximum bone density is high-impact or plyometric training (think running or jumping). If that is too high impact for your body, the next best forms include resistance training and low impact weight-bearing activities such as walking, tennis, dancing, climbing stairs etc.
It is important to make sure the upper body is also getting resistance. This can be in the form of bodyweight training (like pushups), and any type of resistance training with bands, dumbbells, etc.
So, think about your current routine… Do you include some form of weight bearing resistance for both your upper and lower body? Now, think about how often this is. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is recommended that you perform exercise for your bone health 3 times a week, as part of the recommended 60 minutes a day of physical activity.
If you fall short of the guidelines, we can help! Our personal training and HIIT classes all contain forms of resistance for your whole body (not to mention the aspects of cardiovascular training, agility, balance, core strength, coordination and more). So, come hang out with us and we’ll make sure your bones get the attention they deserve! If you have any questions or want to schedule a Free Consultation or HIIT Class, give us a call at 234-320-4195.