February is American Heart Month and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to get to Koko FitClub and challenge yourself to work in extra Koko Cardio. In addition to hitting your 3 strength session per-week goal, how about doing four, or even five cardio sessions? During those extra sessions, you can try out some of my new favorite winter cardio programs like the Koko Crater Head Challenge and the Santa Monica Stairs.
Our hearts are incredibly strong muscles, and we keep them healthy by moving our bodies, but Americans just don’t move enough. With more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes a year, and 800,000 deaths, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s a sobering 2,200 deaths per day on average. And, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that individuals who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Health.com states, “one cardiovascular death per year may be preventable for every 145 people who are persuaded to walk at least two hours a week, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.”
Research has shown that sedentary individuals who begin a regular program of exercise have the potential reduce their risk of a heart attack by 35 to 55%. In another study, Harvard researchers found an approximate 20% reduction in heart-disease risk for individuals who most frequently found the time to vigorously exercise. Types of activity included: running or jogging, swimming laps, and playing tennis. Even the most basic aerobic exercise showed benefit. Walking 3 miles or more a week resulted in a 10% reduction in risk. Other moderate exercises include golf and yard work.
At Koko, both the circuit-based, strength workouts on the Smartrainer and the high intensity interval training you do for Koko Cardio are already making your heart healthier. If you add a couple of extra sessions of Koko Cardio each week, starting this American Heart month, you can even further reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. What are you waiting for?
Speaking of hearts, Valentine’s Day is only a few days away. What better way to show your love than to share Smartraining with your spouse, friends and family members. You may be introducing them to a new love – the love of exercise! For everyone who thinks they hate exercise, they only hate the negative experiences they have had in the past; discouraged by the “failures” and frustrations. The gift of Koko will be the best Valentine they’ve ever received. It’s a gift of good health that sends the message “I want you around to love for years to come!”
Here’s to your Healthy Heart!
Michael Wood, CSCS
Chief Fitness Officer
Koko FitClub
At Koko, we know you have a life. 80% of adults will never be inclined to spend an hour and a half a day at the gym, no matter how great the benefits. You have other priorities more demanding of your time, energy and intellect. We figured out that unless we remove the roadblocks of confusion (what the heck should I do?), boredom and lack of time, that 80% of adults will never make fitness a habit for the long haul. Our goal is to be fitness you can live with forever, so exercise becomes a great habit for the long haul: