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What Excersises Help Improve Your Body Mass Index?

If you know how tall you are and how much you weigh, you can figure out your body mass index (BMI), which is a general measure of health and ideal weight. If you have one that is too low or too high, you can exercise to change it.

  1. Body Mass Index

    • Although there is controversy about whether it is the best weight measurement, BMI is widely used. In general, for both men and women, a BMI of below 18 is underweight, and 18.5 to 24.9 is normal weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, while a reading over 30 is obese, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

    Calculating Body Mass Index

    • To calculate BMI, you must know your current height and weight. Then, you can refer to a table to look it up. You can also go to places such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's website and use a BMI calculator. For example, an adult who is 67 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds has a BMI of 23.5, which is within the normal weight range.

    Exercise to Lower BMI

    • Aerobic exercise can lower BMI.

      To lower BMI, decrease fat mass in your body. Aerobic exercises that move large muscle groups are ideal. Walking, running, biking, swimming, dancing and rollerblading are just some examples.

    Exercise to Increase BMI

    • To increase your BMI you must gain muscle. Free weight exercises, Pilates, power yoga, boot camp classes and weight circuit training are types of exercise that can build muscle mass effectively.

    Other Considerations

    • BMI does not take into account the type of body mass. A very fit person with muscle weight may appear overweight, according to BMI tables. Body fat percentage, age, motivation, cost and more are other factors you need to look at when designing an exercise program. In addition to exercise, diet is also an important part of changing BMI.

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