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The 8 Best Fitness Trackers To Work Up A Sweat And Optimize Your Health

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The 8 Best Fitness Trackers To Work Up A Sweat And Optimize Your Health

Staying in form is a troublesome process, and it’s made tougher while you’re going it alone. Whereas most of us would like a little bit of assist, encouragement or skilled teaching, you may’t at all times depend on such luxuries. What you may depend on, nonetheless, is expertise—equivalent to a health tracker or smartwatch—that can remind you to train, monitor your exercise ranges and observe your progress over time. In actual fact, the most effective health trackers are the following neatest thing to having your individual private coach.

Choosing the proper health tracker can show daunting when you think about the numerous choices accessible at this time. Fitbit, the corporate that singled-handedly popularized the idea of health monitoring, sells a slew of various fashions. After which there are health trackers from Garmin, Coros, Polar and dozens of different firms. It pays to buy fastidiously, as a result of not all trackers are designed for the sorts of train you need to do, and a few have additional options, like smartphone notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring, stress monitoring and blood-oxygen stage sensors.

Irrespective of which health tracker you select, there’s a great probability it’ll cowl all of the fundamentals fairly properly, however you may want extras like water resistance (nice should you’re a swimmer), built-in GPS and particular sensors that cater to your private wants. We’ve rounded up 8 of the most effective health trackers you should purchase at this time; regardless of the place you’re in your health journey, there’s a mannequin right here for you.

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Finest Health Tracker General

The One That Checks All The Bins

Display screen: AMOLED touchscreen | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 7 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

The Fitbit Cost 5 captures the flag as the most effective general health tracker as a result of it represents, in some ways, the template from which all different trackers are created. The Cost 5 represents the fruits of every thing Fitbit has discovered about making wearables through the years, and contains just about every thing the typical particular person wants in a health tracker. It counts steps, distance and has sleep monitoring options. It routinely acknowledges while you’re doing a wide range of widespread exercises and begins monitoring—20 sorts of exercises in all. It’s waterproof to about 150 ft and you’ll put on it right into a pool to trace swim exercises.

The Cost 5 replaces the older Cost 4 and, like most trendy wearables, features a full-time coronary heart charge monitor. You additionally get a formidable 7-day battery life, however the coolest change within the new Cost 5 is the modern, vibrant display that’s two occasions brighter than the Cost 4, and an always-on show mode that permits you to verify your progress with only a look.

Accessible in three shade colours, different noteworthy options embody irregular coronary heart rhythm notifications, stress administration scores, temper monitoring and menstrual cycle monitoring.

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Execs:

  • Brilliant AMOLED show
  • Constructed-in GPS and GLONASS
  • Helps cellular funds

Cons:

  • No bodily buttons
  • Clock faces can’t be custom-made

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Finest Finances Health Tracker

Preserve Tabs On The Necessities, With out Breaking The Financial institution

Display screen: HD AMOLED touchscreen | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: No | Battery life: 18 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

There’s no denying the truth that health trackers are costly, however you may nonetheless get by with an reasonably priced, succesful choice that doesn’t value an arm and a leg. For example, the Amazfit Band 7 nonetheless encompasses a good display, 24-hour coronary heart charge monitoring, sleep monitoring and an ultra-long 18-day battery, nevertheless it prices a mere $50.

That includes a show that’s 112 p.c bigger than the earlier technology Amazfit Band 5, software program permits you to customise the watch face to your liking and you’ll even add a sequence of non-public images. The waterproof housing is designed to face up to depths as much as 50 meters, and a pool swimming mode can seize beneficial swim knowledge. If swimming isn’t actually your factor, merely peruse 120 completely different sport modes to seek out your most well-liked exercise.

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All this isn’t to say the Band 7 is ideal. For example, you’ll have to pair the tracker together with your cellphone to make use of GPS, and there’s no choice to retailer music for on-the-go listening. You’ll additionally want to make use of the Zepp app as a way to view your private metrics, so hold this in thoughts should you’re already utilizing Strava, MyFitnessPal or one other most well-liked health app.

Execs:

  • Spectacular battery life for the worth
  • Vibrant AMOLED display
  • 120 exercise modes

Cons:

  • No built-in GPS
  • Zepp app required to view metrics

Finest Splurge Health Tracker

A Refined Smartwatch With All The Bells And Whistles

Display screen: 240 x 240 show | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 7 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Polar has lengthy lived within the shadow of its health rivals, Garmin and Fitbit, however the Finnish-based model hit its stride lately because of high-end choices just like the Vantage V2. A succesful mix of minimal and dynamic, it’s packed to the gills with severe tech that features 4 types of positional monitoring, guided respiratory workout routines, coaching exams and an ultra-long battery mode that tracks exercise for as much as 100 hours. And naturally, it has a price ticket to match.

You’ll discover virtually each sort of sensor conceivable within the Vantage V2, together with Sp02, caloric consumption, ECG and sleep monitoring. A lot of that works routinely when you sleep—the Vantage V2 measures your actions and blood oxygen ranges at evening to make some normal assessments about your well being. After all, the watch additionally has all the standard health and exercise options, permitting it to trace most types of train together with step monitoring and coronary heart charge. The watch may even point out when it is best to push somewhat bit more durable throughout a exercise to get essentially the most out of your session.

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Whereas the Vantage V2 ships with a fairly conventional show, it nonetheless has strong usability options. The display remains to be shiny and responsive, you might have the flexibility to obtain notifications, and it really works with each Apple and Android telephones. It additionally gives about 7 days of battery life between expenses while you use it in watch mode.

Execs:

  • 100 hours of battery life through simplified GPS readings
  • Spectacular sleep monitoring options
  • Pairs with the Polar Coronary heart Fee Chest Strap

Cons:

  • Unimpressive battery life in customary watch mode for the worth
  • Restricted app skills

Finest Health Tracker For Runners

Monitor Splits, Sprints, Sunday Marathons And Extra

Display screen: All the time-on reminiscence LCD | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 20 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Positive, any health tracker with devoted GPS may observe your morning run, however the Coros Tempo 2 stands out from the competitors for a handful of causes. Before everything, it’s extremely light-weight for its dimension, which suggests you received’t be fumbling together with your watch while you’re attempting to set a brand new private greatest. Past the light-weight profile, it encompasses a stronger processor and extra reminiscence area for add-on options. And the 20 days of battery life is paired with 30 hours of battery in GPS mode (a 20 p.c improve from the unique Coros Tempo) and 60 hours in UltraMax GPS mode, all of that are respectable numbers whether or not you’re utilizing the watch casually or competing in your first ultramarathon.

If working isn’t actually your factor, the Tempo 2 comes filled with a slew of different exercise modes that concentrate on biking, swimming and power coaching actions. And whereas many health trackers boast roughly 120 exercise modes, this one comes filled with a staggering 200 workout routines that can help you goal your higher physique, decrease physique and core, and a muscle heatmap permits you to see which muscle teams obtain essentially the most motion.

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Whereas it doesn’t function an Spo2 sensor, the Tempo 2 does come filled with an optical coronary heart charge monitor, a barometric altimeter and a thermometer to regulate physique temperature within the midst of coaching.

Execs:

  • Robust battery life in GPS mode
  • Muscle heatmap helps you identify coaching choices
  • Over 200 built-in power coaching workout routines

Cons:

  • Water-proof solely as much as 5 atm
  • Doesn’t function an Spo2 sensor

Finest Health Tracker For Girls

A Sensible Health Tracker Designed With Girls In Thoughts

Display screen: 240 x 240 pixels | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 9 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Based mostly on numbers alone, the Garmin Fenix 6S Professional is excellent regardless of the way you determine to make use of it. Whether or not you’re monitoring a run, hike or stroll, the watch depends on an array of world navigation methods (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) to ship correct distance, elevation, pace and well being knowledge, whereas superior coaching options like PacePro hold tabs in your tempo and supply coaching recommendation that will help you get essentially the most out of each exercise. Like all Garmin wearables, it comes filled with a litany of various exercises to select from and may even advise you that will help you get essentially the most out of these post-exercise restoration classes.

However maybe most significantly, this watch (together with different Garmin watches) takes under consideration how completely different hormones have an effect on ladies, serving to you make sense of dietary selections and fluctuating exercises over the course of any given month. Merely use the Garmin Join app to work together together with your private stats everytime you want somewhat extra information. As is the case with different health wearables, this one synchs together with your cellphone to show your texts, calls and different notifications.

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Execs:

  • Superior GPS metrics for actions like path working and snowboarding
  • All the time-on function nonetheless maintains long-lasting battery
  • Smaller face and strap compliments thinner wrists

Cons:

  • Navigating menus could be complicated
  • Very expensive

Finest Health Tracker For Sleep

Maximize Your Restorative Slumber, Evening After Evening

Display screen: AMOLED touchscreen | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 6 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Fitbit gives a deep bench of merchandise—each health bands and good watches. The Fitbit Sense is likely one of the model’s extra fashionable health watches, providing essentially the most full function set within the Fitbit lineup. And it’s nonetheless reasonably priced when in comparison with comparable competitors. If, nonetheless, you don’t want every thing the Sense has to supply, it can save you a strong chunk of change by getting the extra reasonably priced Versa 3. However understand that should you do, you’ll miss out on some well being options like stress testing and ECG monitoring.

The Sense comes filled with a formidable variety of sensors, together with Sp02, pores and skin temperature sensing, ECG and sleep monitoring. Sleep monitoring takes place routinely within the background—the Sense retains observe of your blood oxygen stage and pores and skin temperature to make normal assessments about your well being, however among the extra helpful sleep monitoring insights are hidden behind a paywall. The watch has all the standard health and exercise options as properly, from step counting to coronary heart charge monitoring.

The Sense has strong usability options like a shiny and responsive shade touchscreen and voice instructions through Alexa and Google Assistant, and works with each Apple and Android telephones. It additionally gives about six days of battery life between expenses.

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Execs:

  • Spectacular GPS monitoring for the worth
  • Effectively-rounded sleep monitoring options

Cons:

  • Sleep monitoring insights hidden behind a paywall
  • Dim always-on display

Finest Multisport Health Tracker

Unlock Your Inside Triathlete With This Proficient Timepiece

Display screen: All the time-on touchscreen reminiscence LCD | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 30 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Related in some ways to the aforementioned Coros Tempo 2, the Coros Apex Professional encompasses a vibrant display, unimaginable battery life (40 hours of battery utilizing customary GPS and as much as 75 hours in UltraMax GPS mode) and an optical coronary heart charge monitor and thermometer. However as a result of it is a devoted multisport watch, Coros additionally packs it with 5 navigation methods, downloadable panorama and topo maps, and extra options equivalent to back-to-start and off-route alert that come in useful past the overwhelmed path. For example, should you’re collaborating in a aggressive path run sequence, merely obtain the course beforehand to remain on observe even at the hours of darkness.

Not like the Tempo 2, the Apex Professional comes with an optical pulse oximeter to maintain tabs on oxygen saturation, and the interface could be managed through buttons alongside the bezel or by utilizing the touchscreen show. Use the Discover My Cellphone or Discover My Watch function within the occasion that you simply lose a bit of coveted tech, and obtain notifications out of your cellphone straight to your wrist.

Execs:

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  • High quality construct supplies (sapphire glass, metal bezel, aluminum case)
  • Unbelievable battery life in GPS mode
  • Touchscreen show is simple to make use of and navigate

Cons:

  • Unstable coronary heart charge monitor accuracy

Finest Waterproof Health Tracker

A Smartwatch Constructed To Navy Requirements

Display screen: 176 x 176 pixels | Coronary heart charge tracker: Sure | Waterproof: Sure | Exercise monitoring: Sure | GPS: Sure | Battery life: 28 days | Compatibility: Apple, Android

Not like different health trackers that function a vibrant show and high-end supplies, the Intuition 2’s cumbersome design seems to be extra like the standard watch you’ll have worn 10 years in the past. However don’t let its outdated look idiot you—this watch is definitely designed to face up to impacts, shocks, warmth and water in methods most health trackers merely can’t, a results of the fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant glass constructed to army requirements for toughness. Whereas different watches are rated for depths as much as 50 or 100 ft, the Intuition 2 nonetheless works over 300 ft under the floor.

After all, this watch can do greater than survive the following apocalypse. It comes filled with an array of sensors to watch your coronary heart charge, blood oxygen saturation and stress ranges. It options unimaginable battery life, receives notifications out of your cellphone and the photo voltaic version expenses the battery within the solar. Over 100 exercise modes hold tabs in your physique while you’re getting lively, and daring shade choices stand out from conventional health trackers. Whether or not you’re in search of you health tracker that may go the place others can’t or just just like the look of a conventional design, the Intuition 2 is tough to beat.

Execs:

  • Unbelievable battery life
  • Water, thermal and shock resistance
  • Elective music integration downloads music to your wrist

Cons:

  • Pixelated show seems to be outdated
  • Optical coronary heart charge monitor isn’t correct over tattoos

What Can Health Trackers Do?

Health trackers are available in a wide range of kind elements—relying on the mannequin, you may put on it like a bracelet or watch, clip it to your clothes, and even put on it like a hoop in your finger. However regardless of the precise look, health trackers all have a tendency to supply the identical primary set of options: They observe your exercises and exercise stage, serving to you to remain on a health plan and get (or hold) in form.

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Essentially the most primary health trackers are merely pedometers—units that attempt to preserve an correct depend of your steps. However most trendy health trackers do much more than that. Nowadays, they’re typically bristling with sensors which gather data to deduce your health and well being stage. Listed here are the most typical sensors present in health trackers:

  • Accelerometer. This measures movement, and is usually the first sensor used to establish exercise ranges.
  • Altimeter. Many health trackers measure altering air strain to deduce that you’re utilizing stairs.
  • Coronary heart charge sensor. With the proper sensors, your tracker can measure your coronary heart charge, coronary heart charge variability and even blood strain.
  • Sp02 sensor. This measures the oxygen stage in your blood.
  • ECG sensor. An ECG sensor can carry out an instantaneous electrocardiogram, which measures your coronary heart’s rhythm and electrical exercise. Usually, an ECG tells you in case you have a sinus, or uniform, rhythm, or another consequence. In no case can or ought to an ECG be used to detect a coronary heart assault, although.

All of those sensors, and typically others, might help you select and observe exercises in addition to get quite a lot of supplemental details about your well being and wellness. They will additionally observe your sleep, stress stage and different elements of excellent well being.


What To Look For In A Health Tracker

Shopping for a brand new health tracker isn’t only a monetary funding, it’s a step towards enhancing your general well being. That’s why it’s essential to discover a tracker that integrates together with your each day life, and on the very least, comes with primary options that allow you to observe what’s most essential to you.

Exercise Modes

Not all trackers can acknowledge all workout routines. For example, if you wish to observe swim exercises, you’ll want to look not only for a tracker that’s waterproof, but in addition one which explicitly helps swimming. Likewise, solely a handful of trackers help actually uncommon sports activities and exercises—so should you’re into cling gliding or BMX, you’ll want to look into choices just like the Vivosmart 4. When contemplating completely different fashions, you’ll want to slender down your choices by reflecting on the assorted actions you’d like to trace.

Sensors

Most trendy health bands observe a wide range of broader well being and health attributes as properly. We’ve already mentioned options like Spo2, ECG and bioelectric impedance sensors, and these are typically removed from necessary—however more and more, all however essentially the most finances fashions are beginning to sport these kinds of superior sensors. Simply understand that quite a lot of the whole-body analytics you get from sensors like these are sometimes not particularly actionable; you would possibly get a normal sense of your general well being, health stage or sleep high quality, however it may be exhausting to know what to do to enhance. Till that side of the software program catches as much as the {hardware}, you may take into account all of those superior options fairly non-compulsory.

Battery Life

Relying on the construct high quality, accessible sensors and display decision, battery life can final anyplace from sooner or later to a number of months. In the event you intend to make use of your health tracker as a conventional pedometer, you may most likely get by with a mannequin that encompasses a smaller battery. However should you intend to make use of it over extended intervals of time (as an example, when backpacking or working a marathon), take into account choosing a mannequin that options prolonged battery life or photo voltaic charging to complement the battery in direct daylight.

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Accuracy

As a lot as we’d like trackers to be utterly correct, third-party testing reveals that that is not often the case. Producers typically depend on algorithms and sensors to trace sure metrics, which results in a small diploma of error. With this in thoughts, take into account investing in a health tracker that’s designed to help your most well-liked actions. For example, a chest strap that measures your coronary heart charge and transmits knowledge to your health tracker might be extra correct than the built-in coronary heart charge sensor glued to your wrist.

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The unique exercise this neuroscientist does for optimal brain health: 'Physical activity is so powerful for our brain'

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The unique exercise this neuroscientist does for optimal brain health: 'Physical activity is so powerful for our brain'

To keep your brain health in good shape, you should engage in physical activity as often as you can. 

“Physical activity is so powerful for our brain,” Dr. Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist and dean of NYU College of Arts and Science, said in an episode of a recent MasterClass series that features neuroscientists and psychiatrists sharing advice for optimal brain health.

Suzuki mentioned how walking 10 minutes a day can do wonders for your mood and that strategic sports like soccer and basketball engage your prefrontal cortex more than other exercises. But the workout in Suzuki’s weekly routine is much different than most others.

“I got pulled back into exercise from couch potato land with this amazing form of workout,” Suzuki said. “It’s called intenSati.”

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The front half of the name “inten” stems from the word “intention,” Suzuki said. “Sati is a Pali word that means mindfulness or awareness.”

Cardio plus mantras is this neuroscientist’s preferred exercise for brain health

IntenSati involves moving your body while speaking affirmations out loud, Suzuki said. It was created by Patricia Moreno in 2002.

“This workout pairs high-energy cardio moves with high-emotion mantras that will leave you uplifted, connected, and strong,” according to the official website for intenSati.

Speaking positive affirmations out loud can strongly impact your outlook on life and your overall mood, Suzuki said.

“If you shout out that you believe you will succeed, you are inspired, you are strong, for a whole hour with a whole bunch of other sweaty, affirmations-shouting people, you come out of that class feeling amazing.”

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A recent study done at the University of California Berkeley encouraged 135 undergraduate students to say compassionate things to themselves for 20 seconds a day, coupled with compassionate touch like placing a hand on their heart. After one month of consistently doing this practice, students reported feeling less stress and seeing improvements in their mental health.

“But whatever the form of workout that you do, any time of day you can work out is the best time of day to workout because our lives are so busy,” Suzuki said.

A 2022 study that examined the health information of more than 500,000 people found that those who regularly engaged in vigorous physical activity like exercise and sports decreased their risk of developing dementia by 35%.

But even doing household chores regularly lowered an individual’s risk by 21%.

“Every single drop of sweat counts for your brain,” she said, “And that’s good news.”

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Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

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Somatic exercise coach shares 3 stretches to boost your mind-body connection and release tension

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Somatic exercise coach shares 3 stretches to boost your mind-body connection and release tension

You may be most familiar with exercises that involve repeating the same movements over and over, like lifting the best adjustable dumbbells for multiple reps and sets to build strength and muscle, or taking stride after stride to perfect your running form and get faster.

However, amidst your usual workouts, how often do you slow down and truly connect with what your body is doing and how it feels? This is exactly what somatic exercise is all about, and it offers some impressive benefits. 

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Fitness

5 exercises that help lower cholesterol levels naturally – Times of India

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5 exercises that help lower cholesterol levels naturally – Times of India
Cholesterol is a critical substance in our bodies that plays a significant role in building cells and producing certain hormones. However, high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke. To our relief, we can take steps to lower cholesterol naturally, and regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.Here are 5 exercises that have been proven to help reduce cholesterol levels and boost our heart health.

The most simple and effective way is walking

Foods That Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol Levels

One of the easiest and most accessible exercises to lower cholesterol is walking. Studies show that walking at a medium pace for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can significantly lower LDL cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Research published in the journal “Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology” suggests that walking can help reduce bad cholesterol by up to 7%. So, lace up your sneakers and take a stroll in your neighbourhood or a nearby park.

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How does pedalling help?

Cycling is another effective exercise for lowering cholesterol levels. Whether on a stationary bike or riding through the streets, cycling helps increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol. A study conducted by the “Journal of the American Heart Association” found that adults who cycled regularly experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and improved overall cardiovascular health. Aim for 30 minutes of cycling, three to five times a week, to see benefits.

No Gym Needed: Try This Effective Home Workout To Get Fit Quickly

Jogging

Jogging is a fantastic way to boost heart health and reduce cholesterol levels. It helps burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and increase HDL cholesterol. According to a study in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology,” regular jogging can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Add jogging into your routine for 20-30 minutes, three to four times a week, for optimal results.

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Yoga

Yoga might not be the first exercise that comes to mind when thinking about lowering cholesterol, but it can be incredibly effective. Yoga helps reduce stress, which is linked to higher cholesterol levels. Research from the “Indian Heart Journal” found that practising yoga regularly can help reduce LDL cholesterol and improve heart health. Try to include yoga sessions for 30 minutes, three times a week, focusing on poses that enhance cardiovascular health.

Build muscle, burn cholesterol

Strength training is essential for overall health and can help lower cholesterol levels by improving body composition and increasing metabolism. A study published in “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise” found that resistance training helped lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol in adults. Add strength training exercises, such as weight lifting or bodyweight exercises, at least twice a week for the best results.

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