Physical Activity

According to the Surgeon General of the United States, less than 1/3 of adults engage in the recommended amount of physical activity (at least 30 minutes most days).

How are we doing in Northwest Brooklyn?

According to New York City Community Health Survey, 48% of residents report exercising at least 3 days a week.  Though this is pretty good compared to the general population, there is definitely room for improvement. Everything from a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to serious sports, Brooklyn has ample opportunity for fitness. Prospect park is chock full of opportunities for activities such as cycling, running, kayaking, horseback riding, iceskating, rollerblading, tennis, volleyball and much more. If you’re not near the park, you’re probably not far from one of Brooklyn’s closeby beaches such as Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach or Far Rockaway. Hop on the Water Taxi for a ride out to the Water Taxi Beach or a game of Volleyball. Red hook and Douglas and Degraw Pools provide relief from the heat and are excellent for your heart. Rent a zip car and in 45 minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by easy to challenging terrain in Bear Mountain. New York is diverse in its natural beauty. Of course, these are only suggestions so use caution and be sure to check with a doctor before beginning any exercise routine. 

  How can I find out more?

NYC.gov is a good source of information on healthy lifestyles including information on nutrition and exercise. There are certain health professionals who specialize in this type of information. They include family practitioners, internists (or general practitioners), nurse practitioners, nutritionists, sports medicine doctors and cardiologists. They will be able to advise you about what is myth versus what is truth. Some insurance companies will actually pay for your visit to these doctors for this type of advice.