5 Weird Perks of Regular Exercise

We all know that regular exercise will result in a toned body and better cardiovascular health. But there are benefits to staying active beyond maintaining muscles, five weird (often seemingly) unrelated perks are enough to motivate anyone  to get their sweat on...

Research shows that regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressants

Specifically, as quoted from the March 7th 2012 World & News Report,

"Burning off 350 calories three times a week through sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as antidepressants... What's more, animals studies have found that getting active boosts the production of brain molecules that improve connections between cells, acting as a natural anti depressant."



It doesn't even feel like working out!

•  Pole Dancing, Hooping, and Silks will help prevent osteoporosis.

 All weight bearing activity will increase bone density, thus inoculating often high-risk women against osteoporosis. But why lift dumbbells over and over to get the health benefits when you could have tons of fun learn some back-up circus skills in the process? :D

• Women who exercise report more orgasms

 Who would have thought that a sex-thing would be one of the five weird perks of regular exercise? As it turns out, our abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles are attached. During abdominal exercise, squeezing your abs is also contracting pelvic floor muscles to help stabilize your body, that contraction can often lead to the Big O. and if you wanna' make orgasming sound really boring just call it a "pelvic floor contraction." :) Sexologist Jeffre TallTrees recently told The Daily Beast,  "When women engage their PC [pubococcygeus] muscles, the tissue around the g-spot swells, which can lead to climax." Anything to stay motivated!

• Regular exercise will net you a higher salary 

 This is nothing new, but until recently scientists thought this was more of a correlation than causation. But one study in particular published in the Journal of Labor Research found that people who exercise at least 3 times a week make 9% more than their sedentary counterparts.  A 2007 study found that obese women make a staggering 18% less money than those who had a healthy BMI.

• Exercise can make you smarter

 Brain decline begins in a persons late 20/s. Even moderate exercise, like walking, can slow this deterioration. This last weird perk of regular exercise isn't so weird. It's just a healthy body making a healthier brain. Slightly more vigorous exercise can reverse the loss of cells all together. Exercise can also help impulse control and improve memory. The mind-body connection is strong. and whatever is good for the body will be good for the mind!

- written by JLK


five weird perks of regular exercise 5 weird perks of regular exercise