What Are the Health Benefits of Weight Bearing Exercise?

Walking is great weight-bearing exercise.

Weight-bearing exercise is any exercise where your body movement works against gravity, creating an impact on your body. These exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing and weight training.

Strong Bones

The most promoted health benefit of weight-bearing exercise is building strong bones to help prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures. The impact of weight-bearing exercise stimulates improved bone mass.

Heart Health

Weight bearing exercise is good for your heart and can help prevent or treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight problems.

Muscle Strength

Weight bearing exercise improves muscle strength. Muscle strength improves your ability to function and also helps protect joints, tendons and ligaments from injury

Other Benefits

The health benefits of weight bearing exercise include most of the benefits of exercise in general: improved coordination and balance, relief from stress and anxiety, and increased energy and endurance.

Expert Insight

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the best exercise is the one that you will do on a regular basis.

References

• The Exercise Habit
• Exercise