Types of Exercise

Not all exercise is the same. Some types make your heart strong. Others build muscles or help you bend and stretch. Doing a mix of exercises keeps your whole body healthy.

Three Main Types

Aerobic exercise gets your heart pumping. Running, swimming, and dancing are aerobic exercises. Strength exercises build muscles. Push-ups, climbing, and carrying things make you stronger.

Flexibility exercises help you bend and stretch. Yoga and stretching keep your body limber. Doing all three types gives you a balanced workout.

Finding What You Like

The best exercise is one you enjoy. If you like being outside, try biking or hiking. If you like music, try dancing. If you like being with friends, try a team sport.

You do not have to do the same thing every day. Mix it up to keep things fun and work different parts of your body.

Fun Facts

• Kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
• Playing on a playground counts as exercise because it uses all three types of movement.
• Swimming works almost every muscle in your body at the same time.

Did You Know?

Astronauts exercise for about two hours every day in space to keep their muscles and bones from getting weak in zero gravity!