Since the pandemic, fitness has become a popular trend, with many office workers heading to the gym after work. However, is sweating heavily through cardio or strength training in an air-conditioned gym at night truly the healthiest approach?
Zhu Yizhi from Mingyue Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan shares insights from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective on the best exercise methods, timing, and intensity for maintaining good health.TCM’s Perspective on Exercise
In TCM wellness practices, strength training and excessive sweating from cardio are generally discouraged. Instead, the focus is on maintaining the flow of the body’s energy and aligning with the rhythms of nature, Zhu said. This approach primarily targets the body’s core, particularly the Guanyuan acupoint (CV-4) in TCM. Through smooth, cohesive movements, it seeks to promote the flow of qi and blood, drawing parallels to traditional practices like qigong, martial arts, and yoga.
Location of the Guanyuan acupoint. The Epoch Times
