Vigorous exercise strengthens the heart as a pump, making it a larger, more efficient muscle.
All these effects translate into reduced risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Exercise can also offer other benefits, including strengthened muscles, increased flexibility, and stronger bones, which can help ward off the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis. Regular activity also promises mental-health benefits, like relieving stress and anxiety. It can help you sleep better and renew your energy. If exercise could be bottled, it would be a best-selling potion at the local pharmacy.