Reason to exercise

Of course exercise allows you to build up, tone up, slim down and control your weight. But what about the lesser-known benefits of exercise. This month we present you with 8 alternative reasons to exercise.

1. Catch fewer colds
Exercise boosts our immune system. People who exercise have a higher concentration of white blood cells than non-exercisers. White blood cells help to combat colds, flu and other airborne viruses.

2. Look younger than your years
Not only does exercise increase blood circulation and promote the flow of nutrients to the skin and muscles. Also an exercise program based around fitness and flexibility will enhance posture and make the exerciser appear younger than their years.

3. Healthy body, healthy mind
Research indicates that physically fit people, on average, score better than non-exercisers in test of short-term memory. Regular exercise may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.

4. Be alert, very alert
Regular exercise increases alertness, agility, balance and coordination. These positive attributes translate into less work, home and road based accidents.

5. Improve your sex life
Exercise aids blood flow … everywhere! Improvements in fitness equals improvements in oxygen uptake, red blood cell circulation and the ability to control penile blood flow.

6. You can eat more calories
UK Olympic rowers Foster, Pinsent, Cracknell and Redgrave ate over 6000 calories a day during their pre-competition training schedule. Why? Simply because they exercised enough to burn the calories they ate. Although your average recreational exerciser may not burn this amount of daily calories, they will still need to eat more than a non-exerciser in order to train hard and regularly.

7. Clever clogs
Exercise improves oxygen transportation to the brain. Increased levels of oxygen carrying blood cells in the brain will boost the power of your mind - aiding focus, alertness, relaxation and clear thought.

8. Prevent back problem
Certain exercise (resistance work, yoga, Pilates, swimming) aids the development of strong spinal muscles. This will not only improve posture, but it will also means that the exerciser runs a lesser risk of developing temporary or chronic back problems.