From Time magazine:
Doctors, researchers, scientists—even ancient philosophers—have long claimed exercise works like a miracle drug. Now they have proof.
In studies where blood is drawn immediately after people exercised, researchers have found that many positive changes occur throughout the body during and right after a workout. “Going for a run is going to improve your skin health, your eye health, your gonadal health,” he says. “It’s unbelievable.” If there were a drug that could do for human health everything that exercise can, it would likely be the most valuable pharmaceutical ever developed.
Is high-intensity interval training as good as regular exercise? More research is needed, but evidence suggests that short, all-out bursts of exercise bring unique benefits. They’re also a great option for the time-crunched. New research shows that as long as you go hard, intervals are just as effective as longer workouts, even for people with some chronic diseases.I hate lifting weights. Can I just do cardio? Sorry, but if your goal is to live longer and healthier, you should do both, because they offer different benefits. Cardio will prevent you from being winded after climbing stairs, while strength training will build muscle and bone, which protects against injury.