“So is running the best form of exercise? The answer to that is definitely no. The best form of exercise is the exercise that you like, that is one that you’ll do on a regular basis, that’s safe for you. The bottom line is that exercise is a great idea for anyone regardless of your age. Current recommendations are for 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, which means anything including a brisk walk. Or 75 minutes a week of intense exercise, an exercise where you get your heart rate up, and you work up a good sweat. Emerging evidence even suggests that super intense exercise, where you’re really pushing yourself as hard as you can go for even just short intervals, may have the same benefit as well. The type of exercise doesn’t really matter so much. What matters is that it’s an exercise that you enjoy, that you can get into your life — in your lifestyle – which is often times challenging, and one that is safe for you. And that’s the big point, as well. Listen to your body. If your body is telling you that this exercise doesn’t feel right to me, stop, and by all means go to talk to your doctor either your primary care physician or feel free to make an appointment with myself or any of my colleagues at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights.”
David Coun, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and Chief of Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights. He has lectured regularly on various topics, including smoking cessation, prostatic conditions, EKG review, and physician communication skills. Dr. Coun is fluent in Spanish and has a particular interest in prevention, as well as, the intersection between mental health and chronic medical conditions. Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights is a two-floor practice with a walk-in urgent care center and more than 35 specialties. Located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, the practice is situated on the 17th and 18th floors.