Is Your Workout Paying Off? - Page 3
How The Three Components Work Together
By altering the variety, intensity, duration, and frequency in your aerobic, strength-training, and flexibility workouts, you'll help your body systems work together more efficiently.
The following chart outlines several ways these key exercise areas contribute to your overall health.
| Healthy Benefit | Aerobic | Strength | Flexibility |
| Reduce body fat | X | X | |
| Improve heart function | X | X | |
| Boost metabolism | X | X | |
| Improve lung function | X | ||
| Increase bone density | X | X | |
| Increase muscle mass | X | ||
| Improve balance | X | X | |
| Reduce risk of injury | X | X | |
| Increase insulin sensitivity | X | X | |
| Increase range of motion | X |
Keep It Fresh
Just as you occasionally review your financial portfolio and assess how well it matches your needs and goals, you should review your workout routine regularly, too. Tweak it to fit your current stage of life and make sure you capitalize on the opportunities each fitness element offers.
Make minor adjustments every couple of weeks or so, and fairly significant changes at least once every 6 months to accommodate your fitness level and needs. Your fitness portfolio deserves at least this much attention; when it comes to health assets, physical fitness is one of the most important investments you can make for your future.
Five Easy Ways to Add Variety
- Add intervals (short bursts of increased intensity within a workout).
- Explore new equipment.
- Try combination classes such as step aerobics, water workouts that combine swimming and strength training, or yogalates, which combines yoga and Pilates.
- Change your exercise routine.
- Work out with a partner.
