Though we’ve recently suffered through a sweltering heatwave, fall will soon be here! September 23rd marks the first day of autumn, and as daylight hours shorten and temperatures drop, our instinct to “hibernate” often kicks in.
Yet while this urge is perfectly natural, there’s a downside to a more sedentary lifestyle. Weight gain is an obvious result, which in turn can lead to a host of physical problems and medical ailments. A lack of exercise can also be detrimental to the quality of your sleep and impact your mental health.
But according to a recent report in Time Magazine, there’s another incentive to maintain a regular exercise routine: Protecting Yourself From COVID.
Exercise, Wellness + Warding Off COVID
“It’s time to consider exercise as medicine,” says Yasmin Ezzatvar, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a nursing 
instructor at Spain’s University of Valencia. And Ezzatvar has some solid evidence to support her position.
In a detailed report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine on August 22nd, Ezzatvar and her co-authors noted that “Regular physical activity may help protect you from severe COVID-19—and could even keep you from getting infected.”
A Deep Dive Into Exercise Health Data
Reviewing 16 prior published reports, which charted the exercise habits of roughly 1.8 million adults, the researchers uncovered some remarkable statistics.
Consistently active people were, on average, “36% less likely to be hospitalized [for COVID] and 43% less likely to die if they caught the virus.” Additionally, those who got a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise or engaged in 75 minutes of brisk movement each week were “the most protected [from COVID].” Also, active people were “about 11% less likely to get infected [by COVID].”
Exercise + Improving Your Immunity
Ultimately, these findings aren’t very surprising. Exercise has long been considered a key component of good health and longevity. Moreover, regular physical activity can help avoid or better manage chronic ailments COVID-19 can exacerbate, including conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Ezzatvar also notes: “Regular physical activity can contribute to a more effective immune response.” And there’s plenty of research indicating your body’s better able to respond to a viral infection if you’re in good physical condition.
The Takeaway
If you want to remain healthy and productive this fall, stay active! Exercise, including cardio, like walking, jogging, and 
cycling, along with weight training, Pilates, and even yoga, are all great for your physical fitness. The key, of course, is maintaining a consistent schedule.
Train With Me!
Interested in private Pilates training or personal training? My workout programs are a great way to stay active this fall and keep in shape as we move into the winter months.
I offer several appointment options to accommodate your needs. You can visit my private Pilates studio, I can come to your home (we can train outdoors or any inside open space), or online via Skype.
Ready to get started? Get in touch for a FREE CONSULTATION! Call or email: 213.434.5550 | bobamaxx@yahoo.com