Your Personal Best: The Three E’s of Exercise

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller

Exercise is important in order to live a healthy lifestyle. Not only is it essential for your physical health, but it is for your mental health as well.

According to Dr. Milady Murphy, for an exercise program to be successful, it has to be effective, efficient and easy to integrate.

“The Three E’s, I have one example of an exercise that does that,” said Murphy. “If you are a beginner, I recommend starting out doing the shoulder press in the chair. If you are more advanced, using the exercise ball with the shoulder press engages more muscles groups.”

For a total body workout, Murphy said widen your base of support while hip width and shoulder width are apart and bring your elbows up to the same plane as your shoulder using 3- to 5-pound weights. The weights will help to maintain your balance because you’re using major muscle groups of your lower body.

Murphy said she likes three sets with a short rest in-between and thinks 10 to 12 repetitions of exercise is enough.

“You’re working abdominals, back, glutes and legs while maintaining your balance as well as the upper body, the shoulders and upper back,” said Murphy. “Again, effective, efficient and easy to integrate into your exercise program.”

Stop and consult with your doctor or physician if you experience any pain during a workout.