If you've been considering skipping the gym today, well do it and head to the...movies?
I know you're probably thinking "WHAT!?" According to a study from the University College of London, a trip to the movie theater can be as good for your heart as trip to the gym for some cardio.
The study researched 77 individuals in conjunction with a movie theater chain, and found their heart rates during a two-hour movie were"in a zone similar to light exercise."
The study authors explained the following:
"This level of stimulation can help to build cardio fitness levels and burn fat. Heart rate peaks were also aligned with specific storyline moments in the film."
If you're wondering, the 77 participants watched the 2019 live-action version of Aladdin. Their heart rates were monitored and tracked by wearing biometric sensors. This same study also adds a "trip to the movie theater is good for our mental health, because it allows us to disconnect from other stresses."
The study authors continue to explain:
"The cinema is one of the only places left where you can step away from devices and the outside world and truly switch off. Over half of viewers believed that the experience was therapeutic in an emotional sense and felt uplifted by the experience."
What are your thoughts on these findings? Leave your comments and tell us what you think!
PHOTOS: Getty Images