Fit Facts
Peace of Mind!
It is taken for granted that exercise is good for our bodies. Mind and body are not separate and therefore exercise is also excellent for our minds!
A study has shown that those who exercise at least 2-3 times per week experience "significantly less depression, anger, cynical distrust, and stress than those exercising less frequently or not at all".
Frequent exercisers also tend to perceive their health and fitness to be better, and report higher levels of sense of coherence and a stronger feeling of social integration than those who do not exercise regularly.
So aside from your body shape, physique or physical fitness, do it for your psychological wellbeing!
References
HASSME´N, P., KOIVULA, N., UUTELA, A. 2000. Physical Exercise and Psychological Well-Being: A Population Study in Finland. Preventive Medicine 30 pp17–25
Move Your Body!
Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, obesity, hypertension, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and depression (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006).
Low exercise capacity has been associated with higher mortality risk even more strongly than that of established risk markers such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and previous heart attack (Myers et al, 2004).
In the UK, it is estimated that 37% of coronary heart disease is attributable to physical inactivity (McPherson, Britton, & Causer, 2002).
So make sure you stay active!
References
WARBURTON, D.E.R.; NICOL, C.W.; BREDIN, S.S.D. 2006. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ. 174 (6) pp801-809
MCPHERSON, K., BRITTON, A. AND CAUSER, L. 2002. Coronary heart disease. Estimating the impact of changes in risk factors. London: The Stationery Office.
MYERS, J.; KAYKHA, A.; GEORGE, S>; ABELLA, J.; ZAHEER, N.; LEAR, S.; YAMAZAKI, T.; FROELICHER, V. 2004. Fitness versus Physical Activity Patterns in Predicting Mortality in Men. Am J Med. 117 pp912–918
DID YOU KNOW?
Since we opened on August the 24th the average treadmill has completed around 7752.66 km or 914 hours.
The average X-Ttrainer has completed 7530.10 km or 811 houurs.
Fat Loss is a HIIT!
High-Intensity-Interval-Training (HIIT) performed 3 times per week for 20 minutes has been shown to be more effective for decreasing total body fat, leg fat and abdominal fat than 40 minutes of 'steady-state' exercise 3 times per week (Trapp et al, 2008).
In this study, the interval training involved 8-second sprints on a bike followed by 12 seconds of turning the pedals very slowly – repeated for a maximum of 20 minutes. The steady-state training involved 40 minutes of steady pedalling at 60% of maximum effort. Although both training methods improved cardio fitness, only the interval training resulted in a significant loss in total fat and abdominal fat – and it only took half the time!
References
Trapp, E.G.; Chisholm, D.J.; Freund, J.; Boutcher, S.H. 2008. The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on fat loss and fasting insulin levels of young
women. International Journal of Obesity) 32, pp684–691
