Static isometric exercises – the sort that involve engaging muscles without movement, such as wall sits and planks – are best for bringing down blood pressure, finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence from clinical trials, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
But “cardio” (aerobic exercise); dynamic resistance training, such as squats, press-ups, and weights; high intensity interval training or HIIT for short (episodic short bouts of high intensity exercise interspersed with short periods of recovery at a lower intensity) are all effective, indicate the findings.