Although it has long been common knowledge that exercise, along with a nutritious diet, is key to a healthy heart, countless Americans and other individuals all across the globe choose to neglect this heart necessity and continue their unhealthy ways.

According to an American College of Sports Medicine study, people should be exercising at least five times per week at a moderate intensity for 30 to 60 minutes, Laura Wheatley, exercise physiology lab director in the school of kinesiology and recreation, said.

“This is a drastic change for the 70 percent of Americans who aren’t exercising for even three days per week. My advice is to make the five times a week schedule a goal and build up gradually,” Wheatley said.

She suggested aiming to exercise three times per week for 20 minutes. Once an individual has had success with this regiment for a week or two, bump it up to four days a week.

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