Wellness

Strong Hearts are Healthy Hearts: The Heart Facts of Exercise

Feb 23, 2026

February is National Heart Health Month and here at Lucille by NYSC, it is our philosophy that healthy hearts equal happy lives. Just two and a half hours of aerobic exercise per week can have a profound impact on overall health as an adult, especially as it relates to heart health. The key to a healthy heart? Well, that’s called variety! Aerobic exercise, strength training, and even balance + flexibility training all work together to reduce stress, increase blood flow, and lower risk of disease. Let us break it down for you. 

Where to start: what exercises increase heart health?

Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is cardiovascular exercise, or cardio, that gets your heart pumping. During this type of exercise, your blood pumps through your body at a faster rate causing your lungs to take in more oxygen. This intake of oxygen is what allows your muscles to move and sustain activity for long stretches. 

Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart. A strong heart does not need to beat as fast, and it is able to circulate blood more efficiently throughout your body. A brisk walk, jogging, or the use of the elliptical are great ways to increase your aerobic activity with common gym equipment. Participating in Group Fitness classes, like our Zumba and Cardio Dance classes, are ways to get your body moving and blood pumping with a little added fun of group fitness.

Strength Training
Strength training, or resistance training, is any type of exercise that involves strengthening and toning muscles by contracting them against a resisting force to build endurance. The repetition used in strength training, most often seen through lifting weights, increases good cholesterol which ultimately results in less plaque buildup of bad cholesterol around the heart, which can lead to coronary heart disease and heart attacks. 

New to strength training? Build confidence and join us using our barbells where members can squat, press, and deadlift using racks, plates, and platforms or try out our free weights. Need some extra guidance and motivation? Try Personal Training and let our certified personal trainers create a plan designed specially for you! Crush your personal goals and build your strength all at once.

Balance + Flexibility Training 
Flexibility and balance workouts, such as stretching and yoga, are just as important for managing heart health as aerobic exercise and strength training. Flexibility and balance training when maintained correctly not only trains your body to partake in aerobic and strength training workouts more efficiently and with more ease, but also helps to reduce stress levels. This type of exercise focuses on breathing and slow movements meant to control the flow of oxygen and increase focus. A healthy body is nothing without a healthy mind. Lowered stress levels benefit heart health by reducing cortisol levels, which lowers blood pressure. 

Try our on-demand workouts available in the Lucille by NYSC App for guided stretching programs. Want an in-person experience? Look for a yoga class on our Group Fitness schedule!

How much exercise makes a difference?

Small adjustments to your daily life and workout routine can make a big impact on your heart health when you incorporate aerobic, strength training, and flexibility exercises. For adults, just 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity five days a week is enough to strengthen your heart. Pair this with two days per week of nonconsecutive strength training and daily balance and flexibility training to keep your body ready to move with ease. These small additions set you up for success for a stronger and healthier life. 

Everything you need to strengthen your heart can be found at your Lucille by NYSC. Come on in and let us improve your life through fitness this Heart Health Month!