Exercise
Regular physical activity helps improve your overall health and fitness and reduces your risk for many chronic diseases.
According to the CDC only 25% of adults in the United States report engaging in recommended physical activity. The CDC recommends getting an average of 30 minutes of moderate activity a day to maintain a healthy life style. At the NMSU Activity Center and Aquatic Center, students can engage in numerous sports and exercise classes. More into the outdoors? Check out the NMSU Outdoor Rec program’s trip schedule for camping, sailing, hiking and more!
How Much Exercise Do You Need?
Cardio or aerobic activities
- Achieve the aerobic activity recommendation through one of the following options (any combination of):
- A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day (such as brisk walking) most days of the week, or
- A minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (such as jogging or running) two days a week
Resistance, strength-building, and weight-bearing activities
- Two days a week, incorporate strength training into your routine. Strength training activities, such as weight lifting maintain and increase muscle strength and endurance.
Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Activities
- Dancing
- Riding a stationary bike
- Actively playing with children
- Mowing lawn
- Frisbee playing
- Playing golf, walking the course
- Downhill skiing with light effort
- Raking leaves
- Playing basketball
- Walking
- Water aerobics
- Jogging
Vigorous-Intensity Aerobic Activities
- Racewalking, jogging or running
- Swimming laps
- Mowing lawn, hand mower
- Tennis, singles
- Bicycling more than 10 mph, or on steep uphill terrain
- Moving or pushing furniture
- Circuit training – a combination of strength, endurance and aerobic exercises
Strength Training Activities
- Push-Ups
- Squats
- Pull-Ups
- Yoga
- Stretching
- Weight Lifting
- Climbing
- TRX Bands/Resistance Bands
American Heart Association’s Healthy Lifestyles