Regular exercise can lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes. Good physical activity options include brisk walking, running, and resistance training.
The
Cholesterol
In this article, we look at whether exercise lowers cholesterol. We also explain which types of physical activity to try and suggest other ways in which a person can manage their cholesterol.

It is worth noting that there are two main types of cholesterol in a person’s body: LDL cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol.
When people talk about lowering their cholesterol levels, they are referring to LDL cholesterol. About
According to the AHA,
Exercise can also help raise HDL cholesterol. A
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Regular exercise can also help in various other ways, including:
- helping a person reach or maintain a moderate body weight
- improving mental health
- building muscle and bone strength
- boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue
A person can lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in their body in other ways, too. These
- eating a healthy diet
- reducing the levels of saturated fats and trans fats in the diet
- reducing alcohol consumption
- maintaining a moderate body weight
- quitting smoking
- reducing stress
- getting a good amount of sleep
Regular exercise is a good way to get fit and healthy and reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body.
Below, we list some of the forms of exercises that can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
Walking
Regular brisk walks offer many health benefits. In
Walking regularly and at a brisk pace is a good way to keep fit and healthy, and this activity is often easier to manage and carry out than running.
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Running
Regular running also offers plenty of health benefits. It can help people get fit, lose weight, and improve their mental health.
A 2019 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine linked any amount of running to a 27% lower risk of all causes of death.
Running can also help reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in a person’s blood.
The above review shows that any amount of running is good for a person’s health. However, a
Cycling
Cycling is another
A study in the
The authors also noted that cycling to work led to a lower risk of several cardiovascular health issues.
Resistance training
Resistance training increases muscle strength by making the muscles work against a form of resistance. People may also refer to resistance training as weight training.
Resistance training can include the use of weights, such as dumbbells or kettlebells, weight machines that a person would find in a gym, or the person’s own body weight.
Common resistance training exercises include:
- pushups
- stomach crunches
- weightlifting, such as chest presses, dead lifts, or curls
- squats
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The participants took part in the resistance training three times a week, with each session lasting 40–50 minutes.
Organized sports and other activities
Other sports and activities can also be beneficial for lowering cholesterol and improving general health.
The main factors to consider are how much energy the body uses up doing the sport or activity and how often a person engages in it.
The following sports and activities can help:
- swimming
- yoga
- team sports, such as basketball, football, or soccer
- high intensity interval training (HIIT)
The
The WHO recommend that adults aim for one of the following:
- at least 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week
- at least 75–150 minutes of more vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity each week
- an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous physical activity throughout the week
Tracking the heart rate during exercise can help a person reach their fitness or weight loss goals. Heart rate is a good indicator of how much effort a person is putting in when exercising.
The AHA recommend that people reach
They explain that a person can calculate their maximum heart rate by subtracting their age from 220 to give them a value in beats per minute (bpm).
For example, a 30-year-old would subtract 30 from 220, giving them a maximum heart rate of about 190 bpm.
Scientists measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
According to the
More specifically, the desired level of LDL cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dl, and the optimum level of HDL cholesterol is greater than or equal to 60 mg/dl.
When a person gets a blood lipid test to measure these levels, their doctor can help them understand what the results mean for their health.
If a person’s cholesterol levels are not within the healthy ranges, their doctor can help them develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include recommended exercise and dietary changes. In some cases, a doctor may also suggest other treatments.
A person can combat high cholesterol by exercising regularly. Forms of exercise that help a person lower their total and LDL cholesterol levels include walking, running, cycling, and swimming. Often, these exercises can also help raise the levels of a person’s HDL cholesterol.
A person may also lower their levels of LDL cholesterol by making certain lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet and quitting smoking.