Workout

Workout!

Experts recommend that teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Here are some of the reasons:


• Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind.
  

Exercising causes the body to make chemicals that can help a person to feel good. Exercise can help people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.

Exercise can help you better. 

 People who exercise burn more calories and look more toned than those who don't. In fact, exercise can help keep your body at a healthy weight.

Exercise can help a person age well. 

This may not seem important now, but your body will thank you later. For example, osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) can be a problem as people get older. Weight-bearing exercise like jumping, running, or brisk walking can help keep bones strong.

Aerobic Exercise

Like other muscles, the heart enjoys a good workout. Aerobic exercise is any type of exercise that gets the heart pumping and gets you breathing harder. When you give your heart and lungs this kind of workout regularly, they get stronger and are better at getting oxygen (in the form of oxygen-carrying blood cells) to all parts of your body.

Strength Training

The heart isn't the only muscle to benefit from regular exercise. The other muscles in your body enjoy exercise too. When you use your muscles, they become stronger.

Strong muscles are also a plus because they support your joints and help prevent injuries. Muscle also use more energy than fat does, so building your muscles will help you burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.

You don't have to lift weights to make your muscles and bones stronger. Different types of exercise strengthen different muscle groups, for example:

For arms, try rowing or cross-country skiing. Pull-ups and push-ups, those old gym class standbys, are also good for building arm muscles.

For strong legs, try running, biking, rowing.   Squats and leg raises also work the legs.

For abdominal and core strength, you can't beat rowing, yoga, planks and crunches.

Flexibility Training

Being flexible may also help improve a person's sports performance. Some activities, like dance or martial arts, require great flexibility. But increased flexibility also can help people perform better at other sports, such as soccer or lacrosse.

Sports and activities that encourage flexibility are easy to find. Martial arts like karate, ballet, gymnastics and yoga are good choices. Stretching after your workout will also help you improve your flexibility.