At the end of this month, on Sunday September 29 it’s World Heart Day – but we’re getting ahead of ourselves and encouraging awareness of good heart health right now. World Heart Day is an awareness event created to get it known that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death.
Being physically inactive and not exercising can contribute significantly to heart disease, unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes. NHS health experts recommend that to keep a heart healthy we need to:
- Eat more fruit and vegetables, and much less grease and fatty foods. Remember that five a day is the minimum…
- Aim for at least half an hour of moderate-intensity activity five times a week – every week.
- Play more, walk more, dance more!
- Make yourself get more active every day – walk or cycle instead of driving, take the stairs, don’t sit around during your lunch hour and so on.
- Exercise with family and friends – you’ll be more motivated and it’s more fun!
The best types of activity for a healthy heart are:
- Aerobic exercise is especially good for your heart – brisk walking, jogging, swimming and cycling.
- Muscle strengthening exercises also help you to burn more calories to keep your weight healthy.
- Stretching activities help to improve flexibility.
So there’s really no need to wait until World Heart Day or make it just for one day – show your heart you really love it, starting right now! Our very own health experts can show you the best exercises for you and your heart at one of our state-of-the-art gyms.