Importance of Cardio exercise

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By lifestar


Get Moving!
Get Moving!

Circulatory System 101

Respiratory System 101

You can diet all you want to, but it will only get you so far when it comes to removing that stubborn body fat. That's why cardio is absolutely crucial when you're looking to loose weight . You have to get the heart pumping to help lose those excess pounds.

"Cardiovascular exercise is any type of exercise that increases the work of the heart and lungs," says Tommy Boone, PhD, a founding member of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. You should get 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise every day to burn fat. Even if you enjoy a healthy diet, you have to burn calories to uncover those muscles, it's a fact of life.

It isn’t just about making you look great, burning fat helps prevent obesity. Obesity sets the stage for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. that doesn’t sound like much fun does it!

Cardio exercises keeps your heart and respiratory system in good working condition. Oxygenated blood pumps through your system, flushing out lactic acid. Lactic acid builds up in muscle tissue over time due to life’s everyday stresses. You may have noticed knots of tension in the back of your neck, shoulders and upper back. Cardio helps loosens up those knots of tension and flushes them out of your system. The result is pain relief, reduced tension and renewed freedom of movement. Cardio can even help your body build more capillaries!

The definition of aerobic is “with oxygen.” Doing cardio exercises requires an ample supplly of oxygen to create energy. Your muscles process oxygen to burn glucose and fats. This in turn produces adenosine triphosphate, which all cells in the body use for a basic energy vehicle. When you start your workout, your body transforms glycogen to glucose. When your glucose stores become depleted then fat is metabolized as fuel. Bingo!

A common misperception is that aerobic exercise renders the body small and weak. But a good cardio workout not only burns fat, but tones muscles throughout your entire body! It’s definitely a two-for-one bonus! There’s no sense in burning fat if you’re not toning what you’re uncovering.

Besides looking great, here are some of the added health bonuses from integrating cardio as part of your active lifestlye.

  • Improving circulation
  • Lowering blood pressure
  • Increasing lung capacity
  • Strengthening the heart
  • Increasing red blood cell count to mobilize oxygen throughout the entire body
  • Increasing endurance
  • Reducing the risk of death from cardiovascular problems

Great ways to introduce Cardio into your life

• Running

• Cross-Country Skiing

• Bicycling

• Elyptical Trainer

• Swimming

• Step Aerobics

• Rowing

• Walking

• Sports

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