Be Informed

THE FACTS

We believe that fitness is bigger than just keeping you in shape. Read up on why fitness is essential as a form of preventative healthcare, a part of the economy, and critical to both mental and physical health.

Fitness and Physical Health

  • Physical activity is linked to lower risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Source

  • Exercise, such as walking briskly, for 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 30%. Source

  • Exercise can reduce the risk for developing both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, likely by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Source

  • Three-quarters of cardiovascular disease deaths could be prevented with adequate lifestyle changes, including physical activity. Source

Fitness & COVID-19

Obesity

The risk of a coronavirus-related hospital death almost doubles for people with a body mass index of 30, the lowest level of obesity, and more than doubles for those with a BMI of 40 or more. Source

Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S., death rates were more than four times higher among those with diabetes or hyperglycemia than those without either condition. Source

Exercise is especially beneficial for older adults who are more susceptible to infection in general and have also been identified as a particularly vulnerable population during this COVID-19 outbreak. Source

Fitness and Mental Health

  • Exercise can play an important role in preventing and treating anxiety and depression. Source

  • 43% of Americans say exercise helps with mental stress. Source

  • Exercise may be a valuable complementary therapy to traditional therapy for severe depression. Source