New exercise guidelines released

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently issued the new guidelines on physical activity, updating recommendations issued in 1995, while also giving advice for those 65 and older.

The 1995 recommendations, issued by ACSM and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, had stated that every U.S. adult should accumulate 30-minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most -- preferably all -- days of the week.

The new guidelines call for healthy adults to engage in moderately intense exercise for at least 30-minutes, five days a week, or vigorous exercise at least 20-minutes, three days each week. The new guidelines even go as far as to say that if you exercise above the recommended minimum you will receive even greater health benefits.Weight training is also recommended (which was not previously included in the guidelines), using eight to 10 different exercises on two non-consecutive days per week.

If you are older than 65, the new guidelines recommend that you lift weights, and perform exercises that improve your balance and flexibility.

I don't know about you ... but knowing that I can up my intensity a little more to workout three days per week instead of five gives me a little bit of relief. Like most of you ... with my family and work schedule, I'm not able to work out every day.

Visit the American Heart Association's website to download a more detailed explanation of the new guidelines.