The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Exercise

At this point, most of us know that exercise is about so much more than just keeping our bodies in shape. If you’ve ever left the gym feeling happier than when you arrived, noticed better quality of sleep on the days you exercise, or felt a little sharper back at the office after a lunch break workout, then you’ve experienced some of those mental benefits. In fact, decades of research across the globe have shown that exercise has a profound effect on the brain.

Exercise supercharges the brain’s ability to plan, problem-solve, store memories, and process information by increasing blood flow and delivering oxygen and essential nutrients that keep brain cells functioning optimally. Physically active individuals also tend to have greater grey matter volume (responsible for processing information) and healthier white matter (the connective wiring that keeps brain signals running smoothly). Some research even suggests that exercise can spur the growth of new brain cells, which means you’re building brainpower while breaking a sweat. 

The Benefits of Exercise on Your Brain

Get Better at Problem Solving

Ever wish you could literally change how your brain thinks? Good news! You can! It’s called neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself based on experiences and repetition. When you exercise, you’re not just strengthening your body, you’re reinforcing neural pathways that enhance learning, memory, and problem-solving skills. So, if you’ve ever had a great idea mid-run or suddenly solved a nagging problem while lifting weights, it’s not a coincidence—it’s science.

Enhances Memory and Reducing Brain Fog

If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you’re there (we’ve all been there), exercise can help with that! Studies have shown that even a single workout can enhance short- and long-term memory, as well as working memory (the ability to hold onto information temporarily—like remembering an address or the plot of a movie you just started). A key reason? Exercise increases the volume of the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, particularly in older adults.

Strengthens the Mind-Body Connection

Mind-body workouts that require both movement and mental focus, like yoga, Pilates, barre, tennis, and dance, aren’t just great for fitness—they also boost cognition. Engaging in these activities strengthens the connection between the brain and body, helping you become more coordinated, aware, and in tune with how you move. So next time you’re flowing through a yoga sequence or nailing a tricky tennis serve, know that your brain is benefiting just as much as your muscles.

Boosts Your Mood

Exercise is a natural mood enhancer because working out releases feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine (the same chemicals that make you happy when you eat chocolate, hear your favorite song, or beat that super-hard Candy Crush level). 

A 2022 study found that individuals who met the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week had a 25% lower risk of depression. Even getting in half that amount led to an 18% decrease in risk. In other words, a little movement goes a long way for mental well-being.

Lowers Dementia Risk

As we age, cognitive decline becomes a real concern, with one in ten Americans over 65 experiencing dementia. The good news? Research suggests that exercise may help delay its onset by up to nine years. Regular physical activity has been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia, making it one of the most powerful tools for keeping your brain healthy as you age.

What Types of Exercise Are Best for Brain Health?

The best approach to brain-boosting exercise is variety. While high-intensity workouts are beneficial, cognitive improvements are also seen with lower-intensity, skill-based exercises like yoga and tennis. Aerobic workouts, strength training, and mind-body exercises all impact different parts of the brain, so the key is to mix it up!

Looking to challenge your brain this week? Try something new at Western! Lift weights under the mood lighting in the Strength Studio, stretch your mind and body with yoga or Pilates Human Reformer, sharpen your coordination on the tennis courts, or get your heart pumping with a group fitness class like cycle, cardio kickboxing, dance fitness, or tread & shred. Your brain—and body—will thank you.