Top 10 Reasons to Exercise — Starting Today

Thirty-two years of personal training, and Cord Prettyman has heard every excuse not to exercise. Here are ten evidence-backed reasons to stop rationalizing and start moving.

By Cord Prettyman, MPT

In my thirty-two years as a certified personal trainer, I have heard every imaginable excuse for not exercising. The most common: "I'm too busy, too old, too sick, too overweight, or it's too boring." I've even been told, "I stopped jogging because it made the olive jump out of my martini."

This article is for those who continually rationalize their way into a sedentary lifestyle, thinking the maladies of couch potatoes only happen to other people. Here are my top ten reasons for exercising:

#10: Improved quality of life. Regular aerobic, strength, and flexibility programs improve your overall health, help you dodge or delay the diseases of aging, change your body composition, decrease chronic pain, and increase your physical capacity.

#9: Enhanced psychological well-being. The International Society of Sport Psychology lists the benefits: improved self-confidence, relief of tension, positive mood changes, decreased depression and anxiety, increased alertness and energy, and development of positive coping strategies.

#8: Decreased low-back pain. Research at the University of Florida showed that strong low-back muscles are less prone to injury. Patients had significantly less back pain after just 10 weeks of strength training.

#7: Improved glucose metabolism. A recent study reported a 23% increase in glucose uptake after just four months of strength training. Poor glucose metabolism correlates directly to adult-onset diabetes.

#6: Decreased arthritic pain. Tufts University found that strength training eases the pain of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

#5: Osteoporosis prevention. Numerous studies show that regular weight-bearing exercises — walking, jogging, and weight-lifting — can reduce loss of bone mass and in many cases reverse it.

#4: Obesity management. Exercise raises the body's metabolism and encourages fat burning. A sensible caloric intake combined with regular exercise are the keys to weight loss and maintenance.

#3: Heart disease prevention. Sedentary individuals have twice the risk of developing coronary heart disease as physically active people. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and decreases cholesterol.

#2: Longevity. A landmark study of 17,000 Harvard Alumni showed that those expending at least 2,000 calories a week in exercise extended their lives by one to two years. Only a moderate amount of exercise was needed for this profound effect.

#1: And the number one reason to exercise is — I know where you live, and if you don't start soon, I'm moving in with you. Ask my wife if that's a miserable experience.

Consult your primary physician before starting an exercise routine if you've been sedentary or are under a doctor's care. Train smart.

Cord Prettyman is an IDEA Master Personal Trainer with 32 years of experience at the Montana Athletic Club. Reach him at 406-837-2582.