Three Essential Forms of Movement Your Body Needs Weekly

CNN is offering a new way to kickstart your fitness journey with their Fitness, But Better newsletter series. This seven-part guide is designed to help you ease into a healthy routine, backed by experts in the field.

Walking is often touted as a simple and effective form of exercise, with numerous health benefits. Research shows that getting at least 2,300 steps per day can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Weight-bearing exercises like walking also help prevent osteoporosis.

However, some experts argue that while walking is beneficial, it may not be considered high-quality exercise. Melissa Boyd, a certified personal trainer and coach with Tempo, explains that walking is a baseline movement necessary for bodily functions like circulation and digestion.

Boyd emphasizes the importance of incorporating different types of movement into your routine for overall health and fitness. This includes daily movements like walking, stretching, and bending, as well as athletic movements and social movements for fun and connection.

Dr. Carl Cirino, a sports medicine surgeon, adds that our bodies need to move in various directions to be functionally fit. Activities like yoga and Pilates can help stretch and strengthen muscles in different ways.

To make exercise more manageable, Boyd suggests breaking down movements into “exercise snacks” throughout the day. By attaching these mini workouts to daily tasks, you can gradually build healthy habits without feeling overwhelmed.

Ultimately, the key to a successful fitness journey is starting slowly and finding activities you enjoy. Movement inspires movement, and by incorporating different types of exercise into your routine, you can improve your overall health and well-being.