Source: FatCamera / Getty
About 20% of Americans are getting this exercise thing right.
According to new info from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, on average only one out of every five people will hit the health goal of 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous, aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises each week. The study is part of the US Health and Human Services Department’s Healthy People campaign, which had a target goal of getting 20.1 percent of adults on track by 2020. The good news is that the initiative has surpassed its objective before the deadline but the challenge is now closing the disparities in exercise culture.
There are several factors impacting how often folks workout. One is geographic location—and it’s not what you think. The study found that people in warmer climates are often exercising less than those who aren’t. For example, Colorado kicked butt, with 32.5 percent of residents polled hitting the suggested exercise target. But many warm climate states, such as Mississippi, with less than 14 percent of participants getting enough physical activity, lagged far behind. Location wasn’t the only factor. Experts found that income levels and type of employment played major roles in access and ability to workout too.
The stats showed that people who had jobs that required demanding, physical labor were less likely to hit the gym after work. While it’s understandable( who wants to hit the gym after a long day?)it’s also a big issue. Unfortunately, according to experts, the workout most folks get at physical jobs is not enough to nix a traditional exercise routine. Whether you sit down all day or lift boxes, aerobic exercises, like running or walking, and muscle-strengthening routines such as push-ups and lifting weights are a must. Health experts contend that committing to the recommended levels of physical activity each week is the best way to prevent diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and improve the overall quality of life.
