Cardio

Cardio Fitness

Intense cardio exercise is necessary for physical health and overall wellness. This article will cover the benefits of cardio and discuss cardio training and cardio workouts.


Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise. These exercises are aerobic and involve an elevation of the heart rate for extended periods of time. Many suggest that a cardio workout last anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes and should be done 3 to 5 days a week. Cardio exercise has many benefits and can lead to weight loss, strengthening of the heart and lungs, increased bone density, decreased muscle soreness, and stress relief.

Somecardio fitness activities include: aerobics bicycling dancing jump-rope Pilates running, jogging, and walking swimming

The key is to perform activities which will elevate your heart rate and increase oxygenation. Cardio exercises can be relaxed or very rigorous. Jogging or running can be made more difficult when performed on a hill or on stairs.

For many strength exercise can be successfully melded with cardio exercise. Pilates and swimming are examples of this. Aerobics classes, running, and jogging can double as strength training with the addition of light hand weights. Resistance training is a melding between cardio and strength exercise. This involves aerobic activity with some form of resistance, be it exercise bands or light weights. Dancing can be done in a pool to increase resistance.

Variation is an important aspect of cardio. In the beginning, running a mile may be difficult. However, after a few weeks you will be able to run faster and reduce your time. It is important to try many different types of exercise and at varying intensities. A mile jog can be combined with small breaks where you do sit-ups or push-ups. The jog can also have intermittent sprints lasting a minute or so. Be sure to change your routine often so you and your body do not become bored.

Cardio is the only way to burn fat. A person can train on every machine to build muscle, but these will only very minimally reduce fat. Strength training must be used in conjunction with fitness cardio to increase your overall physical health. A personal trainer can help you create a safe and effective exercise regimen suitable for your needs.