Full-Body Fix for Heart Strength
The Key to Keeping Your Heart Strong And Healthy
To keep your heart strong and healthy, you need to get it pumping regularly.
One of the best ways to do this is with full-body movements that engage multiple muscles at once.
JUST ONE THING
When you use a muscle, your heart has to pump more oxygen to it.
So when you work multiple muscles at once, your heart works even harder.
Your JUST ONE THING For a Strong Heart:
Do Full-Body Exercises
Instead of focusing on just one muscle at a time, like doing basic bicep curls, try a movement that engages more of your body.
Exercises like squats with overhead presses, jumping jacks, or brisk walking with arm swings all get your heart rate up.
This extra challenge helps keep your heart strong!
The exercise linked below works your legs, core, biceps, AND shoulders ALL at once.
Hammer Curl to Overhead Press
- Begin in a split stance (one foot forward, one foot back) for extra leg, core & balance work.
- Hold a weight in the opposite hand from the forward leg, with your palm facing your thigh: Right foot forward - Left hand holds the weight.
- While holding steady & engaging your core, curl the weight up to your armpit then push it all the way overhead.
Extra Tip: Do 2-3 sets of 6-10 reps per side. Try using a heavier weight than you might usually use, which will require more effort and, therefore, more oxygen. Now your heart is REALLY working!
Did You Know...
- Other full body exercises that boost your cardio include goblet squats with an overhead press, reverse lunges, chopping lifts, battle ropes, and get-ups.
- Circuit training and doing big, full body movements can double as cardio for women in midlife because it preserves muscle mass while improving heart health.
- Another added benefit of circuit-style strength training and other interval training is that it will improve your post-exercise metabolic output more than steady state cardio, making it the most important form of exercise for weight loss.
Until next week... Be strong
