A good fitness workout will not only benefit your physical body, but will also work and benefit your brain! While we are all familiar with the physical benefits of working out such as strengthening bones and muscles, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing your risk of disease, regular exercise also helps keep your brain functioning optimally by increasing blood flow to the brain.  People who work out consistently tend to have better cognition as they age and even a reduced risk for dementia. Regular workouts protect your memory and thinking skills.  In fact, aerobic exercise in particular has actually been found to boost an area of your brain that supports memory and learning.

Physical Exercise/Brain Exercise

Our Fit N Fun board games inherently add a thinking component to your workout as you compete against other players.  You must choose which fitness track to workout/play on, and also try to race ahead of opponents.  There is some strategy involved with picking players to do exercises or move ahead/back spaces.  You also have to count your exercises, which definitely works your brain (especially if you are talking to your workout buddies at the same time)!

Exercise Reduces Depression/Anxiety

Regular exercise also benefits your brain by reducing depression and anxiety.  Some recent studies even tout that exercise is as effective as medications such as anti-depressants at relieving depression (especially in mild to moderate cases).  A student at the college I work at wrote a research paper on the benefits of exercise for anxiety and depression.  She has gotten off all medications (with her doctor’s supervision) and adheres to a daily exercise regimen instead.  She originally wanted to get off the meds due to side effects (weight gain, especially).

Fitness Should Be Fun 

If you enjoy the exercise you are doing, the benefits for your mood only increase, yet another reason to have fun while getting fit.  Our motto at Fit N Fun Games is that fitness should be fun which creates consistency and results.  The results of weight loss and increased strength further boost the mood enhancing benefits of exercise.  Our board game allows you to work out solo, and is even more fun when played with a group.  The social aspect of the game further enhances your mood and boosts brain benefits.

Daily Activity Boosts Health

My doctor mentioned that daily activity is one of the best ways to age healthfully.  Fun fitness and gamified fitness are the latest fitness craze, which is why Apple Watches and Pickleball have become so popular.  Once our Fit N Fun board game line increases, we hope to be the next wave of fitness that motivates people to workout and have fun getting fit with their loved ones.  I like to think of our game as giving someone the gift of health, which is the best gift of all!

Hugs & Health – Michelle

**Disclaimer:  Please always consult your physician before beginning this or any exercise program.