(Stock Photo) For those who usually only run while being chased, treadmills can bring the road indoors for a year-round heart-healthy regimen.
Celebrate American Heart Month: Take care of your heart
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FEBRUARY 13, 2006
By Happynews Staff

Heart disease, which affects men and women of every age and race, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and the No. 1 cause of death among women in America. One of the best ways to combat heart disease and keep your heart healthy is regular exercise. Health care professionals encourage everyone to establish a regular cardiovascular exercise regimen to prevent heart disease and improve your heart health.
"Walking, running, biking and swimming are all examples of cardiovascular activities that elevate your heart rate and can improve the health of your heart," said Greg Bahnfleth, training and education manager, Life Fitness Academy. "Cardiovascular exercise also helps with weight management, disease prevention, stress reduction, improved function and more. Consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, and choose an activity that you enjoy so that you can stick with it."
Though incorporating regular exercise in our busy daily lives can be quite challenging, consistent exercise is one of the most important steps for improving heart health. The American College of Sports Medicine's (acsm.org) guidelines for healthy aerobic activity recommend exercising three to five days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time. For weight loss, the ACSM suggests a minimum of five days per week.
Unfortunately, life's many distractions can stop even the best-intentioned exercisers. And extreme hot or cold weather can make it unappealing to walk, jog, or run outdoors, making it even tougher to maintain a heart-healthy regimen.
Exercise equipment from leading companies such as Life Fitness, however, can help keep you moving toward your goals regardless of the weather. The company's line of treadmills can help you walk your way to a healthy heart, or even train for a marathon, all while avoiding the elements. In fact, setting a treadmill at a 1 percent incline will mimic outdoor running. Some even allow users to adjust the cushioning of the deck to any of three different settings to reflect different outdoor surfaces, such as grass, a running track or concrete, so even road warriors can keep up with their training when ice, snow or extreme temperatures make it unsafe for outdoor exercise.
Walking, jogging and running are great ways to get your heart healthy and reach your fitness goals. With determination, a plan and a treadmill, you can bring the road indoors for a year-round heart-healthy regimen.
For information about heart health and American Heart Month, contact the American Heart Association at 800-AHA-USA1 or go to americanheart.org.