I’m talking about getting sweaty at the gym, not the other kind you might have been thinking of. As we age, going to the gym and getting a good workout is critical for our overall health and longevity. I’ve heard it said that sitting is the new smoking. It’s time to keep active and as for me, I love going to the gym and getting in a good workout.

There are a lot of benefits from a good sweat. According to www.medicaldaily.com prolonged sweating boosts your endorphins. Endorphins are known to help you “feel good”. That’s exactly why sometimes we go kicking and screaming to the gym only to proclaim afterwards how happy we are that we went!

Sweating protects your body from overheating.

Sweating also detoxifies your body, lowers kidney stone risk, prevents colds and other illness and promotes healthy skin

It’s a good sign that you are working on your cardiovascular system and raising your fitness level too.

Attending classes at the gym is a great way to work up a sweat. I love going to spin class and I go several times a week. I’m on the 10th year of a total knee replacement and the workouts in spin, while incredibly tough on your cardiovascular, are low impact on your joints. At my gym, https://www.signaturefitnessnj.com/ we have some fantastic instructors that can appeal to beginners as well as experienced riders.  I’ve also made some terrific friends in class and that also leads to friendly competition where we encourage and motivate each other to work harder. If you haven’t tried it yet and your Doctor approves, I highly recommend!

 Mixing it up is a good idea as well. I like rowing machines and occasionally a treadmill for a light jog. Look for other aerobic or light workout classes at the gym. They also create a great environment for an encouraging workout. By going to a class regularly, you begin to feel a little more accountable and you are working along side people with similar goals.You can certainly go it on your own to lift weights, or work a circuit. That is still better than not going, and many people do prefer lifting weights. Many fitness experts can talk to you about the benefits of keeping strong and healthy through weight training too!

But, if a gym isn’t your thing, then a brisk walk could also do the trick. Before my Father got ill from lung cancer when he was older, he was a huge advocate for going out for a walk every single day. He looked great and you wouldn’t have guessed his age before cancer sneaked up on him at 82.

Another option that has become more popular and has great stats to back it up is going to the sauna. According to wellnessmama.com heat from a sauna helps kill infections, pathogenic viruses and quickens healing times. Add in the relaxation and stress relief we feel in a sauna, you have a winning combination. According to a recent study in Finland, frequent sauna users decreased the risk of Alzheimer’s in men by 65%. In Finland, saunas are part of their culture and there are an estimated 3 million saunas there for a population of 5 million people. It might contribute to the people in Finland ranking first among the happiest people in the world https://worldhappiness.report/

I often wind down in the sauna at my gym after a good workout. I follow it up with a cold shower and I go home feeling great. (Yes, a COLD shower…brrrr)

Sometimes, when I’m at the gym, I see people strolling casually on a treadmill, skimming through their phone or just hanging out by the mirrors. It’s great that they made the effort to get there as opposed to sitting at home on their couch. However, the point is to go push yourself, even if it’s just enough to break a sweat. The benefits that you can reap are endless. It’s not too late to put a plan in place. We all would like to live longer and with today’s knowledge, we probably will increase our life span. We need to keep in shape now in order to ensure that our quality of life in our twilight years is the best that it can be! What’s the point of living a longer life if it’s not in good health?

Get out there and get a little sweaty! Walk, run, bike, yoga, dance…so many options, just make the decision and follow through. You will be happy you did.

I have two doctors, my left leg and my right. -G.M. Trevelyan

Keep in mind, that I am not a health professional. If you are going to start an exercise program, make sure you consult your professional Doctor first.