A Balanced Approach to Exercise

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• Good for you
• Everything in balance

Good for you

Medical research has proven countless times that exercise will improve many aspects of our life. Studies have shown that exercise will improve our physical abilities of strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, balance, co-ordination and so on. But even more important is how exercise can benefit our overall wellbeing.

Most of us are now aware that cardiovascular exercise will not only improve our fitness, but will also have spill-over effects into other aspects of our lives. Many studies have confirmed that regular cardiovascular exercise reduces many health conditions common to those who lead a Western lifestyle, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, asthma, certain types of cancer and depression. These studies have also shown that regular exercise increases longevity and the standard of living throughout old age.

Improvements in strength and flexibility will also have spill-over effects into other aspects of our health, reducing the risk of injury, arthritis, postural deformities and other conditions, such as osteoporosis, and diabetes.

Everything in balance

Improvements in balance and co-ordination are aspects of fitness that are often overlooked. However it is very important to train the balance and neurological mechanisms of co-ordination, especially as we get older. By improving our balance and co-ordination, we are less likely to sustain a fall, which can result in a broken limb and can have a devastating effect on our health. (With a broken leg, it is very difficult to perform any form of exercise. This can cause a rapid decline in general health.)

Relaxation is now of particular importance in our lives. To relax effectively (not just sit on the couch and watch TV!) is an important part of our overall health. Effective relaxation such as during mediation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and have positive effects on many aspects of our physical, mental emotional and spiritual health.

So in order to regain a balance in our health and in our life in general, our exercise plan should incorporate all the following components:

• Cardiovascular fitness

• Muscular strength and endurance

• Balance and co-ordination

• Flexibility

• Relaxation

Many exercises will improve several components at once. For example, dancing, yoga or martial arts will often improve strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination, but may not emphasise cardiovascular endurance. Cycling and running may improve cardiovascular endurance and leg strength, but may lack attention to upper body fitness, balance, co-ordination and flexibility.

It is important therefore to analyse your exercise program and make sure that all of the components of health and fitness are there in balanced amounts. This may mean supplementing your exercise program with some simple stretching and balancing exercise, or maybe some strength work, or relaxation and meditation.

Spend a moment recapping your work and exercise over the last week. See how much time was devoted to each component of fitness. Then write down some ways to take some positive action to improve those aspects of fitness that are lacking in daily life.

Hint: Many people find that the last three components of health and fitness may be lacking. This can be easily rectified by attending a yoga class, tai chi lesson, dance class or something similar once per week.

By adopting a balanced approach to our exercise program, we can regain balance in all aspects of our lives, helping us to lead a healthier, happier and more productive life.

Last updated: May 31st, 2007