There are exercises that increase circulation. Increased circulation is important because it provides more oxygen throughout the body and can aid in maintaining or losing weight. Flexibility and aerobic exercises are the best ways to increase circulation.
Flexibility Exercises
According to the MayoClinic.com, "Stretching improves circulation. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles. Improved circulation can speed recovery after muscle injuries. " Stretching and techniques like yoga, tai chi, dance and martial arts are flexibility exercises that require the ability to lengthen muscles over time and aside from martial arts and dance are low impact exercises, so they don't cause a lot of joint pain. Martial arts and dance are higher impact exercises and could be considered aerobic exercises as well, but they require the use of the same muscles repeatedly, which provides increased oxygen, suppleness and circulation to those muscles.
Aerobic Exercises
Aerobic exercise is any exercise that increases the oxygen consumption of the body. The Mayo Clinic staff says that with aerobic exercise, "You'll breathe faster and more deeply. This maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your heart will beat faster, which increases blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs."
Walking and bicycle riding are highly recommended low impact aerobic activities, but any activity that increases your heart rate and works the muscles can increase circulation throughout the body. Some higher impact activities including basketball, football and jogging will elevate circulation.
The Benefits of Increased Circulation
Through flexibility and aerobic activity the increase of blood circulation and oxygen levels cause the metabolism to naturally speed up. The metabolism relies on the increased blood flow from exercise to supply oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. The metabolic rate stays high for a while after exercise, and if you pay attention to your body's signals you can feel the extra blood flowing into the extremities after a good workout. It also raises the endorphin levels, so the effect of exercise induced increased blood flow is similar to the way you'd feel after riding a roller coaster.
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