When it comes to physical fitness, we are not exactly a nation of movers and shakers. In fact, according to a just-released survey, a staggering 95.9 percent of respondents lead mostly sedentary lifestyles.
The study, published in the October 2010 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, reports that only 5 percent of 80,000 Americans surveyed for this research, engage in physical exercise on any given day.
“These findings are truly alarming,” says Steve Fuchs, CPT, owner and trainer at Burlington Adventure Boot Camp for Women. “Regular exercise is essential for our health, but far too many people prefer inactivity, exposing themselves to many diseases and even premature death.”
It is a well-established fact that sedentary lifestyle along with poor dietary habits can lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain forms of cancer, heart disease, strokes, and a host of other chronic ailments.
According to US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), another major study linked sedentary lifestyles to 23 percent of deaths from major – and mostly preventable - chronic diseases.
The good news in all this, Fuchs notes, is that many medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease - the number 1 killer of Americans - could be prevented with sensible eating and regular exercise.
DHHS says physical activity can reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. On average, people who are physically active outlive those who are inactive.
“It is absolutely mind-boggling that many serious and potentially fatal diseases could be prevented with something as simple as exercise,” Fuchs observes.
Fortunately, getting – and staying - in shape is easy, Fuchs says, referring to the Physical Activity Guidelines recently issued by the DHHS.
“They are the most comprehensive recommendations ever published and they stress the importance of exercise,” he notes. “Of particular interest is the recommendation that, for optimum effect, people should do a variety of workouts, such as moderate and vigorous-intensity activities, as well as muscle-strengthening exercises.”
Fuchs concedes it may not be clear to a lot of people just what kind of exercises they should be doing. “They may be totally motivated to start getting fit but then they hit a brick wall because they have no clue which exercise works best on which part of the body or muscle group,” she says. “This is where fitness boot camps are really a great value.”
Because they vary exercise routines, focusing on resistance, flexibility and interval training, “boot camps are very effective not only for cardiovascular health but also for weight loss, improved immunity, stronger bones, joints and muscles, and overall physical and mental well-being,” Fuchs points out.
In view of the frightening statistics reported by the new study, Fuchs issues this “call to action” to all those who’d rather sit in front of TV than exercise: “Wake up and smell the coffee. But after you drink it, start working out like your life and health depended on it – because they do!”
About Burlington Adventure Boot Camp for Women:
Launched by fitness expert Steve Fuchs in October 2005, Burlington Adventure Boot Camp for Women is a fitness boot camp program which specializes in the area of weight loss for busy moms. Program details and client testimonials are available at www.burlingtonbootcamp.com. Fuchs, a certified fitness expert with 10 years experience in the fitness industry can be reached at 802-876-7787.
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About Steve Fuchs, Fitness Expert:
Fuchs is a certified fitness expert (Adventure Fitness Trainer – NESTA, Personal Fitness Trainer – AFAA, Functional Training Specialist – NESTA, Sport Yoga – NESTA, Second Degree Black Belt – Kempo Karate, Adult CPR and First Aid) with 10 years experience in the fitness industry. He can be reached at 802-876-7787 and is available for media interviews on topics related to health, wellness and fitness.
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