The 5 Best Exercises For Men

Each June, Men’s Health Month is recognized across the country. With many free health screenings, wellness fairs and educational classes offered, it is a time to grow awareness around preventable health conditions. Men of every age, shape and size are encouraged to practice a healthy lifestyle—not just during the celebrated month, but year round.

While healthcare has seen much advancement throughout the years, there is still no cure for the leading cause of death for men: cardiovascular disease. It is believed that one in three American men will suffer from a condition related to heart disease. The reason men are more susceptible to it? High levels of physical stress and excess fat around the abdominal area.

Being in good health—both mentally and physically—is the most important thing that a man can do for his body. Staying active in any way and at any age is important, but we have compiled a list of some of the best exercises for men.

Running

Running is probably the most beneficial aerobic exercise out there, as it gets your heart rate up quickly. One of the best things about this activity is that there really is no right or wrong way. Aside from any medical conditions that may prevent you to do so, pretty much anyone is able to run. Put on a pair of shorts, lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement (or treadmill).

The two most common techniques used in running are endurance and power. Depending on the day, you may wish to switch up between short, fast bursts with a few seconds of walking in between and high-mile runs that allow you to test your stamina.

A myriad of studies has shown that running can help prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and even some cancers. But running isn’t just good for your physical health, it’s also extremely beneficial for your overall wellbeing. Experts suggest that even just 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to instantly lift the mood of someone suffering with depression.

Swimming

For men looking for a less-harsh way to incorporate aerobic exercise into their routine, swimming is a fantastic alternative. In addition to being gentler on the joints, swimming is also a great way to improve heart and lung capacity, cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular fitness.

You should aim to swim laps at a brisk pace for 20 to 40 minutes to keep your heart rate up in the fat-burning zone. Over time, you can increase the time of your swims or add in different strokes and speeds to switch it up.

Hiking

This powerful cardio activity is a favorite among nature enthusiasts. If you’ve been searching for a way to incorporate more sunshine and fresh air into your life, hitting up nearby parks and trails is a great way to get your heart rate up.

As a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, this activity truly allows you to hike at your own pace. Most hiking trails are rated by their duration and intensity, so you can plan accordingly on whether you need to bring snacks or plan for rest breaks.

With only a good set of hiking boots, you can expect hiking to burn a significant amount of calories and strengthen muscles you may not regularly work.

Jogging

Too often, the terms jogging and running are used interchangeably when they shouldn’t be. The difference between the two activities comes down to intensity. When you’re looking for a more leisurely aerobic activity, powerwalking or jogging is a great alternative.

Unlike runners, joggers tend to have a bouncier movement when they move, often with shorter strides. While you may not burn quite as many calories as you would during a run, jogging provides all of the same benefits as running.

Men who practice a regular jogging routine can expect healthier cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight loss and a decreased risk of serious health conditions.

Weight Lifting/Weight Training

As with anything in life, too much of one thing can be bad. The same can be said about aerobic exercise. For men especially, learning to mix in weight training with cardio activities is extremely important. Cardio, like running and swimming, are great for fat loss and overall health, but lifting weights is what will help build muscle.

Weight-bearing exercises are great ways to increase bone density, reducing the risk of fractures and breaks in older adults. By incorporating various resistance routines into your workout, you can also see improved strength and balance over time. Research suggests that this can help reduce falls as you begin to age.

Practice Health

No matter which activity you choose, rest assured that you are improving your health. Adding exercise to your routine offers so many rewards—both mental and physical. The most important thing to note is to try to include both aerobic activity and weight training into your schedule.

At Advanced Aesthetics, we believe a healthy lifestyle is the most beneficial way to ensure overall health. Sometimes though, an exercise regimen and nutritious diet aren’t enough to target certain areas. If you have cosmetic concerns that are causing your confidence to dip, it be time to seek professional help.

Our practice offers various plastic surgery procedures to effectively treat problem areas on your face, breasts and body. Whether you’re suffering with gynecomastia or deep facial lines and wrinkles, we have an array of options to address your individual appearance issues. Give us a call today and we’d be happy to see you for a complimentary consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals.