Four Exercises that Help Your Heart Function
There are a series of exercises that help your heart function. These are, for the most part, cardiovascular exercises that strengthen this important organ in your body.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a child, an adult, or an older adult. These exercises are ideal and essential for any age group.
Today, we’re going to discuss some exercises that you can do for your heart health. Some can be done in a gym, but many can be done without. Either way, they’re all beneficial!
Exercises that help your heart function
1. Hiking
- You don’t need to be in great physical condition to hike and there’s no risk when practicing it. It’s very pleasant and sometimes you may even forget that you’re exercising.
Overall, it’s a highly recommended activity that increases resistance, increases oxygen flow and strengthens your heart.
2. Swimming
3. Cycling
Don’t have a bicycle or are looking for an alternative?
There are some variants, such as cycling in the gym or attending spinning classes that have an even higher intensity. However, spinning, unless it is aimed at older people, is not recommended for them, due to its high degree of intensity.
Other types of activities
Why would yoga help the functioning of your heart?
Thanks to yoga, the body is freed from stress, which is one of the causes of many cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, you shouldn’t underestimate this activity or other similar ones, since they have many benefits for the heart.
The ideal option is to choose an activity that you like and that motivates you so that you can easily include it in your routine. Also, it’s essential that it fits your lifestyle.
For example, if there’s a spinning class in the morning at the gym but your work at that time, simply look for a different option for a time that suits you instead.
There are always options and, as you’re seen, there are many exercises that help your heart function and that strengthen it. Even walking 30 minutes a day is worth it.
Easy, right?
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Recomendaciones mundiales sobre la actividad física para la salud. Organización Mundial de la Salud. https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_recommendations/es/
- Johnston, B. 2018. Panorama general del ejercicio. Manual MSD. https://www.msdmanuals.com/es/professional/temas-especiales/ejercicio/panorama-general-del-ejercicio#v1116062_es
- Corliss, J. 2016. Health benefits of hiking: Raise your heart rate and your mood. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/health-benefits-of-hiking-raise-your-heart-rate-and-your-mood-2016092810414
- Mitten, D., Overholt, J. R., Haynes, F. I., D’Amore, C. C., & Ady, J. C. (2018). Hiking: A Low-Cost, Accessible Intervention to Promote Health Benefits. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(4), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827616658229
- Yuan WX, Liu HB, Gao FS, Wang YX, Qin KR. Effects of 8-week swimming training on carotid arterial stiffness and hemodynamics in young overweight adults. Biomed Eng Online. 2016;15(Suppl 2):151. Published 2016 Dec 28. doi:10.1186/s12938-016-0274-y
- Oja, P., Titze, S., Bauman, A., de Geus, B., Krenn, P., Reger‐Nash, B. and Kohlberger, T. (2011), Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 21: 496-509. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01299.x
- Jayasinghe, S. R. (2004). Yoga in cardiac health (A Review). European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation, 11(5), 369–375. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.hjr.0000206329.26038.cc
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.
