Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, relax the mind, and tone the muscles. Encouraging daily exercises for your members to do in the gym and at home can help lift their mood, especially during this time of uncertainty.
Working out releases endorphins and endocannabinoids, which are known as the “body’s feel-good chemicals.”1 If your members are looking for exercises that trigger the release of those brain chemicals and make them feel good, consider suggesting a variety of low- and high-intensity aerobic exercises. These types of exercises are also known as cardio workouts.2
According to the Cleveland Clinic, aerobic exercise “improves cardiovascular conditioning, decreases risk of heart disease, helps to better control blood sugar, and improves lung function.”3
Help your members get their heart rate pumping with these 5 mood boosting exercises.
Yoga + Pilates
Although yoga isn’t typically considered to be an aerobic exercise, it can help your members release tension and stretch tight muscles. Because yoga focuses on breathing and posture, this mood boosting exercise would be beneficial to all fitness levels.
Cycling
Cycling is a great way for your members to increase their heart rate while tightening and toning their muscles. This high-intensity exercise is great for members who are looking for a workout that burns calories and releases endorphins.
Brisk Walking
Whether your members are training for a competition or like to workout for other reasons, brisk walking is a simple exercise that they can do anytime, anywhere. At the gym, they can start their workout with a five minute brisk walk on the treadmill, or they can do a one mile walk in between visits to the gym. This medium-intensity workout can help strengthen the muscles while improving balance and coordination.
Swimming
Swimming is a full-body workout that builds endurance and improves flexibility without putting too much stress on the joints. This low-impact, mood boosting exercise is great for all of your members—no matter their age. If your members are working through an injury, sprain, or arthritis, swimming is a great alternative to high-impact exercises like running.
Elliptical Training
Adding an elliptical to your members’ training offers both high-intensity and steady-rate workouts. In comparison to running, using an elliptical puts less strain on the knees, hips, and ankles.4 If your members are interested in the health benefits of running, but are concerned about the stress it could put on their joints, consider adding elliptical training to their routine.
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1Mark Stibich, PhD. “The Best Forms of Exercise to Release Endorphins and Improve Mood.” Verywell Mind, 4 Feb. 2020, www.verywellmind.com/exercise-and-improving-your-mood-2223781.
2Richard Weil, MEd. “Aerobic Exercise Benefits, Types, Steps & Examples.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 22 Oct. 2019, www.medicinenet.com/aerobic_exercise/article.htm.
3“Aerobic Exercise Health: What Is It, Benefits & Examples.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7050-aerobic-exercise.
4Lindberg, Sara. “Elliptical Benefits: 10 Reasons to Use This Cardio Machine.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 21 June 2019, www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/elliptical-benefits.