What is a Cardio Workout?
Cardio refers to the heart. So, cardio workout means exercise for the heart. This kind of workout involves high intensity continuous activities that increase the rate at which the heart beats. Jogging, running, dance, cycling, kick boxing, swimming and skipping are a few examples of cardio workout. This kind of workout is performed without intervals for a while in order to maintain the high rate of heart beat. The time span is usually 20 minutes but if you are working out for weight loss, the duration may go up to 60 minutes.
Why cardio workout
Every age group has a fixed rate of heart beat. It is high in children. As a person ages, the heart beats for a lesser number of times per minute. While exercising, blood flows faster in the body as muscles require more oxygen and burn more energy. Heart is the blood pumping machine of the body. It has to work harder and faster to satisfy the increased blood and oxygen requirement. Purifying and supplying air is the function of the lungs. So, when you perform cardio exercises, you are exercising your heart and lungs. Since cardio workout increases the oxygen supply in the body, it is also called aerobic exercise. ( aerobic means \”with oxygen\”)
Cardio workout provides the much-needed boost to your metabolism. Evolution has designed human bodies to facilitate movement. However, for most people, strolling around the house or office is the limit of body movement. By confining yourself to such meagre physical activites, you are making your body lazy, lowering your metabolism and inviting ailments. Your body needs to be active in order to burn calories and produce energy from the food you eat.
How much aerobics to do
While performing aerobics, it is important to know when to stop. You should be able to talk comfortably while exercising. When it becomes too hard for you to speak or when your breath starts becoming rather fitful, it is time to stop. Every individual has his own capacity to use oxygen in the body. Gradually increasing the duration and intensity of workout will prove beneficial. Give your body time to be acclimatized with one level of exercise before proceeding to a higher level. Overexertion of the body will lead to injuries.
Benefits of cardio workout
Aerobic exercises have many benefits. By keeping your heart and lungs healthy, they ensure that your metabolism is high and stable. So you burn off fats that will otherwise accumulate in the blood vessels, leading to heart ailments. Your cholesterol levels remain under control. Obesity will not bother you since your high metabolism will make sure that you have a healthy body-mass index. Your muscles become stronger and less prone to injuries. More than anything else, you will find your brain working with greater efficiency due to increased blood flow to it. Your concentration levels will rise. The capacity to deal with stress will improve. The blood count in the body will increase. Chronic health problems like diabetes and hypertension, which have become very common nowadays, will be kept at bay.
Cardio workouts are a benediction for good health. Several fitness programs include various forms of cardio exercises in their schedule. In the gym, the treadmill, jogger and stepper provide aerobic workouts. Aerobics are a healthy way to lose weight. You can also do it at home. Regular cardio exercises will keep you hale, healthy and happy.
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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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