Maintaining an active lifestyle is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart healthy. People who don’t exercise are almost twice as likely to get heart disease than people who are active. Regular aerobic exercise offers many benefits, including improving heart and lung function, helping control blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels and reducing stress and depression.
“‘Find what you like and break a sweat’ is what I tell my patients over and over,” says Wesley Tyree, MD, medical director of HonorHealth Heart Care - Cardiac Rehab. “The current recommendation for healthy adults is to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity continuous training five days a week.”
The key is finding aerobic exercises you enjoy, so you’ll keep doing them consistently.
Here are some fun heart healthy exercises you can try:
- Walking is an easy, convenient exercise you can do to keep your heart in shape. It’s free, you don’t need fancy equipment, and you can squeeze it into your busy day.
- Stair climbing is an option that gets your heart rate up quickly. Climb any staircase at home or at work or try a stair machine.
- Biking is a great way to get your heart rate up and avoid impact. Ride on a trail or road, or if it’s too hot for a ride outside, try a stationary bike at home.
- Swimming is a fun option that doesn’t put any stress on your bones and joints.
- Elliptical training machines are one of the fastest-growing aerobic exercise options and are sure to get your heart rate up.
- Dancing is a great form of aerobic exercise. All you need is good music and a little space. If you want more structure, look for an online dance class.
Aim to move more throughout your day and try increasing exercise intensity and strength training over time. Follow these recommendations from the American Heart Association to develop a plan that works for you. Remember to always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
