Move More

Greater Indianapolis, it is time to get off the couch and start moving! Here you will find tips, games and ideas on how to get more active each day. This month, Taylor Bennett, our FitCity fitness consultant, has five simple tips to help you meet your 2012 fitness goals.

Remember: Our Event Calendar also lists all sorts of fun events, classes and programs designed to help you stay active.

Taking Care of Your Most Important Muscle -- Your Heart!

February is American Heart Month! According to the American Heart Association, more than 18,000 Hoosiers die every year from cardiovascular disease. The most alarming fact about this disease is that it is not limited to adults. Heart disease often begins to develop during childhood.

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is for everyone to incorporate regular, moderate exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week.

For those new to exercising, start at a slow pace and gradually increase the amount of time and the pace. Choose activities that fit your lifestyle and just have fun. It can be as simple as taking a family walk, riding a bike or taking the stairs.  In time, try adding 15 to 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least one time a week. This is called anaerobic exercise, and it means pushing your body to its maximum workout level. It can be short in duration but high in intensity.

If you’re looking for other ways to get your heart pumping, how about participating in a fun dance class? Zumba classes are offered throughout the city. Zumba is a Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party. Ellipticals, stationary bicycles, treadmills and rowing machines also provide great aerobic exercise. Swimming and water aerobics provide the same type of cardiovascular workout as aerobic exercise on land, but with much less impact and more resistance. Participation in sports---competitive or non-competitive--also keeps the heart pumping.

Any kind of aerobic activity will help make everyone's heart stronger and more efficient! But remember, exercise alone cannot prevent or cure heart disease. It is only one factor in an overall program of heart disease risk reduction. Learn more ways to reduce your risk of heart disease from the American Heart Association.