Benefits of Exercise
Health Related Fitness
There are many health benefits to exercise eg. weight management, reducing the risk of disease (coronary heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis) and stress management. Different types of exercise have specific benefits associated with them; for health, a balanced approach is recommended but you may want to develop a particular aspect of your fitness for a specific reason.
Cardiovascular Training
This type of training improves the efficiency of the heart, lungs and circulation. It also expends a large number of calories and can help with weight management.
The benefits of cardiovascular training include:
- Stronger heart muscle
- Increased endurance in the muscles used
- Increased efficiency of the cardiovascular system (heart, lungs, circulatory system)
- Probable decrease in resting and exercise heart rate
- Weight management
- Increased levels of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL's) in the blood
- Decreased risk of coronary heart disease
- Normalising effect on blood pressure
- Increased bone density
Which classes improve Cardiovascular Fitness?
- All Aerobics, step and aerobike sessions
Body Conditioning
This type of training improves the strength and endurance of muscles and helps to tone the body. Strength training leads to an increase in muscle size but requires high resistance (heavy weights or resistance machines). Specific strength training requires a gym environment. The type of conditioning achieved in classes is mainly endurance training as the resistance available is limited (small weights and bodyweight). Endurance training improves muscle definition and tone rather than causing bulk.
Benefits of Body Conditioning:
- Better tone and shape
- Better posture
- Improves joint stability & reduces the risk of injury
- Increased bone density
- Better coordination
- Improves performance
Which classes are good for Body Conditioning?
- Body FX
- Tums, Bums and Other Bits
- Circuit Training
- Pilates Based Matwork
- All aerobic and step sessions include a body conditioning component
Stretch
This type of training improves the flexibility of muscles, increases our range of movement, improves posture and reduces stress.
Benefits of Stretching
- Reduced risk of injury
- Maintain or improve your current range of movement
- Better posture
- Improved performance in other activities
- Stress relief (relaxing activity)
Which Classes improve Flexibility?
- Pilates Based Matwork
- All sessions include warm up and cooldown stretching components
Relaxation
Everyone should include some form of relaxation in their life. Even the most energetic people need to unwind. Many of us lead hectic lives with lots of responsibility and commitment and just trying to keep up can leave us with stress and anxiety. High and consistent levels of stress can lead to burn out and extreme emotional and physical exhaustion causing symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbance, mood changes, depression and low self-esteem
One of the most effective ways to relieve and control the symptoms of stress is relaxation training.
Benefits of Relaxation:
- Helps to alleviate the symptoms of stress
- Ensures greater precision in your skills, greater concentration levels and clearer decision making
- Increased energy levels
- Enhanced memory
- Increase in levels of self- esteem and confidence
- Improved ability to cope with physical and mental trauma and increased concentration
- People who learn to relax and control their stress levels can maximise their personal potential
Which classes include specific relaxation?
