Yesterday's post was all about strength training, and today's is about what lies on the other side of that coin...the integral part of cardiovascular exercise into our fitness regimen.
"Cardio" exercise is aerobic exercise that benefits our cardiovascular health. We know we're engaging in cardio work when our heart rate elevates into a slightly uncomfortable zone where we begin sweating, our breath becomes slightly labored, and we are burning more calories than from normal day-to-day activities.
During cardio, our blood vessels dialate. Blood flows quickly through them, oxygen from the lungs oxygenates the blood and moves to the muscle tissue where the work is being done. Routine cardio over time reduces our blood pressure, reduces the strain on the heart to move blood around the body, increases our HDL levels (the good cholesterol), and burns calories contributing to our overall weight loss goals.
I would argue that intense cardio is the single best way to expel negative energy out of the body reducing our stress levels and bringing about deep, restful sleep. Also, because of the increase in our circulation with cardio, more oxygen gets around and waste is removed more easily from the tissues, giving our skin that glow.
Our exercise routine should include both: Strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
The trick to doing cardio work is to change it up. Running three miles three times weekly can get very boring. There are a ton of fitness classes and home routines that can provide variety to our schedule. Beachbody Fitness provides in-home fitness programs such as P90X, Insanity, and Turbofire while gym memberships offer classes from kickboxing to aerobics to strip-tease dancing. There literally is something for everyone.
I challenge you to examine your fitness program. If your cardiovascular routine is light, I challenge you to kick it up with both variety and intensity. You should be getting your heart rate up on a regular basis so that you are in heart-healthy condition.
No comments:
Post a Comment