Posted by kathryn in Fitness

Good health is without doubt, our greatest asset.

Despite the never ending list of health benefits associated with regular exercise, finding an excuse not to exercise is incredibly easy and we often need encouragement to include more physical activity in our lives. 

Often people throw themselves in to a new exercise regime, only to discover it’s impossible to sustain both the energy and the commitment. Finding the balance in our exercise routine is key to the longevity of the habit. Choosing those activities we truly enjoy and which assist us to feel better about ourselves, goes a long way towards the continuation of those activities.

Exercise and stress

In recent times, many people have been placed under more stress than usual. Studies show that exercise, is one of the best tools we have, to decrease stress levels.
 
Exercise causes the release of endorphins (hormone-like substances that are produced in the brain) and decreases stress hormones such as cortisol. Endorphins create a feeling of happiness, assisting us to feel more positive, providing a sense of wellbeing as well as improving sleep quality. The endorphins produced can be so powerful that they actually mask pain.  Physically active people recover from mild depression more quickly and physical activity is strongly correlated with good mental health as people age.
 
Exercise can also take your mind off of problems, by simply providing a distraction. 

There is good evidence that physically fit people have less extreme physiological responses when under pressure. This means that fitter people are more able to handle the long- term effects of stress, without suffering ill health or burnout.
Those who exercise regularly (i.e. most days of the week) may be less affected by the stress they face, increasing their ability to cope with life’s hurdles. 

Exercise has also been linked to improving both your productivity and resilience.  In addition to all the many well documented health benefits, exercise may provide some immunity toward future stress as well as a way to cope with current stress.

Exercise and chronic disease

Regular exercise also reduces the risk of several diseases including heart disease, Type II diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer, osteoporosis and colon cancer.

Research has shown a direct link between immune system function and exercise – another reason why we should increase the amount of exercise we do, during the winter months.

One way to give your exercise regime a kick start and motivate yourself to do MORE exercise is a Personal Training session.

Try personal training

As a motivating Personal Trainer with many years of valuable experience, Alexia is able to design ‘tailor made’ sessions for clients to address their specific fitness needs. As well as instructing Pilates, Alexia maintains her own fitness by swimming and instructing many styles of group exercise classes every week. 

Using a combination of knowledge and intuition, as well as a wealth of specific exercises, Alexia provides her clients with variety, encouragement and challenge. Personal training will improve your fitness level, reduce your stress levels and increasing your motivation to do more exercise.

Personal Training at Balance2health can be utilised for a variety of fitness objectives. Session formats can include any of the following components, depending on your fitness goals:

• General fitness circuit including cardio and strength based exercises
• Sports specific exercises that complement your existing fitness training
• Core strength using basic equipment
• Flexibility using assisted stretching techniques
• Specific back strengthening and stretching to relieve back pain
• Specific neck strengthening and stretching to relieve neck and upper back pain
• Stress management
• Combination of the above

Personal Training sessions can be booked on either a weekly or twice weekly basis, OR occasionally. They can be used to address specific fitness goals, assist with recovery from injury or boost motivation. Even a one off session can often provide the encouragement needed do more exercise. So if you have been contemplating a Personal Training session to challenge yourself or for that extra dose of enthusiasm to exercise, now’s the time! 
 
For more details contact Alexia Morris on 0425 830 191 or by email.

23 September, 2011