What is the best exercise for your heart?

I’m here at the Powerhouse Gym in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. They have several locations around the Philadelphia area, and I want to answer a question that I hear all the time from patients: What kind of exercise is actually best for your heart?

Well, the answer is there really isn’t just one type of exercise that’s beneficial. So let’s break it down.

First, let’s talk about aerobic exercise. That would be walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, using the elliptical, or anything that gets your heart rate up for a sustained period of time.

Aerobic exercise trains your heart to pump more efficiently. Over time, it can lower your resting heart rate, improve your blood pressure, improve circulation, and help your body use oxygen more efficiently.

And it also helps your mental state terrifically. Often, people say they sleep better at night when they exercise aerobically.

Secondly, there’s weight training. And this becomes important, particularly as we get older.

Lifting weights or using resistance machines helps preserve muscle mass. That improves insulin sensitivity, improves your metabolism, and makes everyday activity easier.

And indirectly, all those things are very good for your cardiovascular health.

Third, don’t forget flexibility and balance, particularly as you get older.

Stretching, yoga, and balance exercises may not raise your heart rate very much, but they help maintain your mobility and reduce the risk of injury, which, of course, helps keep you active as you age, like me.

And finally, one of the most underrated forms of exercise is simply walking.

And I talk about this all the time in my videos. Although I love this place and I come here all the time, I feel extra energized when I’m here.

But you don’t necessarily need to have a gym membership or use complicated equipment.

A brisk walk on most days can be a meaningful way of exercising and helping your cardiovascular health.

The goal isn’t necessarily becoming an elite athlete, although that’s terrific, but that’s really not the goal for most of us.

The goal is consistency.

Find something you enjoy. That’s key.

Combine some aerobic exercise with strength training. Keep your body moving and make exercise a daily part of your life because your heart is a muscle. And like the rest of your body, it benefits from being challenged.

You don’t have to exercise perfectly. You just have to keep moving.

I’m Dr. Raymond Singer. It’s time for me to get moving.

I hope this was helpful, and I’ll see you next time.