Exercise benefits us in so many ways, including: improving our physical and mental health; reducing our risk of cardiovascular disease; increasing our energy, stamina, strength, and agility; promoting better sleep; improving our sexual performance; managing our weight; and reducing our stress level. It is my hope that this lab will inspire you to develop a rewarding exercise regimen, if you don’t have one already, or make positive changes to your current exercise regimen, if you already have one.
For this week’s lab, you will participate in an exercise or physical activity that you do not typically do. Examples include:
- A new sport, e.g. swimming, basketball, racquetball, volleyball
- A different exercise class, e.g. Zumba, spinning, yoga, pilates, Tai Chi
- A fun physical activity, e.g. ballroom dancing, trampolining, hula hooping, dancing, frisbee
- Gym workouts, e.g. weight lifting, fitness machines
- Outdoor recreation, e.g. hiking a new trail, kayaking, canoeing, walking
- Exercise videos – check out the Make Your Body Work (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. website regarding free online resources
- For those with true mobility issues, you can have a loved one do the activity for you and write about their experience. Or you can explore exercise options for those with limited mobility (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Respond to the following questions about the activity:
- What activity did you do? Make sure to specify the intensity and duration of the activity.
- What did you enjoy about the activity?
- What was challenging about the activity?
- Did the activity make you feel tired?
- What muscles did you use?
- Did the activity require any specific skills?
- How many calories did you burn?
Respond to the following questions about exercise, using your text and/or other credible sources.
- What are five benefits of exercise, i.e. ways exercise can improve health?
- What health benefits have you personally experienced from exercise, if any?
- List five reasons why people may avoid exercise and/or barriers people may perceive when it comes to exercise?
- Do you exercise currently?
- If so, what exercise regimen do you follow and how are you able to make this work?
- If not, why not? How might you incorporate exercise into your life?
As always, make sure you respond to all questions THOROUGHLY and specifically. Include references for all sources, in APA style.
