5 Amazing Types Workouts For A Healthy Mind and Body

Guest Blog Post: Rebecca Smith

Exercise provides undeniable benefits to a person’s health and fitness. It is true that many people practice exercise because of the physical benefits that you can gain like losing weight, building more muscle, or becoming generally stronger. But do you know that exercise is also very good for your mental health? There are studies showing that exercise does not just make your body stronger, it also produces chemicals that are good for the brain.

If you are looking for an exercise routine, check out these five types of exercises that will totally benefit your mind and body.

1.    Strength Training

Many people have the misconception that strength training is only limited to people who want to build massive muscles. However, strength-training exercises are actually beneficial for everyone. Having a stronger body will help you in performing your daily functional tasks like pushing, pulling, carrying groceries, or vacuuming the floor. But aside from the physical benefits of strength-training exercises, feeling physically strong also benefits the mind. When you build your strength, you are less prone to common pain and injuries that cause many people to feel depressed and anxious.

In order for you to build strength, you don’t really need to go to an expensive gym and lift heavyweights. You can also strength-train by performing calisthenics exercises. Calisthenics is a system of exercises using only your bodyweight as resistance. Some of the popular bodyweight exercises include push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, planks, burpees, and mountain climbers. These exercises can be done anywhere and anytime. You won’t need any special equipment to complete a workout. Another great thing about this type of workout is that these bodyweight exercises can easily be modified depending on your fitness level. By changing the position of your body or the duration of your workout, you can intensify the effect to suit your capability.

2.    Aerobic Exercises

Aerobic exercises, also called cardiovascular exercises, are well-known to be good for the heart. Cardiologists recommend these exercises because they are great in improving your body’s blood circulation. However, not only heart doctors recommend this type of workout, but also clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. This is because there have been new studies showing that performing daily aerobic exercises can have positive effects on a person’s mood. Findings also show that cardio exercises can nourish your brain better. They are known to relax the mind and calm you.

There are many types of aerobic exercises that you can do. You can perform sports like running, cycling, and swimming as a form of exercise. If you love the outdoors and want to challenge yourself, you can also try hiking and rock climbing. Of course, bodyweight calisthenics exercises like burpees and jumping jacks are also great cardio movements.

3.    Isometric Exercises

These are beneficial exercises that require you to flex and hold, without actually lengthening or shortening the muscle. These exercises work by holding the flexed position for as long as you can until you feel the burn. Although these are stagnant exercises, as opposed to having movement, they are a great way to challenge the muscles.

There are many different isometric exercises that can train your entire body. The great thing about them is that you don’t really need a lot of space to perform them. Even if you are out of the house or traveling, you can incorporate these exercises into your daily routine. Some great examples of isometrics are planks, heel raises, leg lifts, and wall sits.

4.    Rhythmic Exercises

Rhythmic exercises are enjoyed by millions of people around the world because music is a major element of this type of workout. Having music while exercising adds an element of fun during the exercise. Plus, when you’re dancing, you barely feel that you’re actually working out because it is very enjoyable. Dance is actually considered an aerobic exercise as it is good for the heart. Depending on the dance movements, you can also tone and strengthen your muscles by dancing.

Aside from the physical benefits, there are also studies that show how dance delivers mental benefits. According to research, learning new dance steps can actually grow new brain pathways! Dance is also a great stress-reliever that can make you feel more energetic and happier, too.

Zumba is just one example of a popular dance workout loved by many people. This is usually a 45 to 60-minute session that burns major calories. But if you’re not into this Latin dance workout, you can choose many other dance forms as well.  

5.    Exercise for Meditation

Yoga and Tai Chi are just some examples of exercises used for meditation. These exercises are considered as forms of meditation because of the benefits they have on a person’s mental health. While many people think that these are only beneficial for the mind, they are actually very good for your overall well being.

These are typically low impact exercises that help you focus on your breathing while you move. Even if the movements are typically slower, they actually help in toning your body as well as in improving your balance and flexibility.  

About: Rebecca Smith started calisthenics at age 26 as a means to lose weight and tone her body. After completing her first successful muscle up, the amazing feeling inspired her to train further and become a full-time calisthenics instructor. Rebecca also holds a Management Degree and a Diploma in Nutrition.

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