Cardio Workout – Why You Need It

Without a doubt, the health benefits of cardiovascular exercise are profound. The impact of cardio training of the organs can lead to significantly increased quality of life. After all, when your heart and lungs are working to their maximum health potential they will be resistant to a number of common maladies.

Of course, cardio also melts fat off and this eliminates the multitude of problems obesity causes. That is why cardio is king.

At its most basic level, cardio exercises involve physical movement. The more you move the more energy you expend. Since calories are stored energy, increasing your cardio intensity levels can be used to burn more and more stored fat. This is why people who perform a lot of cardio have a “ripped” muscular appearance.

Their muscles are more visible since their body fat percentage is low.

Now, while higher intensity cardio programs will burn more fat than low intensity programs, low intensity programs are valuable as well. Walking, for example, is the most popular form of low intensity cardio work.

Walking can be performed by anyone regardless of fitness level and it does wonders for burning calories. However, for maximum benefit, it is wise to walk for long durations since it is a low intensity workout.

Jogging would be higher in intensity than walking and, of course, running would be of greater intensity than jogging. So, which exercise should you choose? The one that your current fitness level supports! If you wish to up the intensity level at a later date – then do so! But, do not rush the process or else the shadow of injury or burnout will loom.

Also, you want your cardio workouts to burn fat and carbs. When your cardio is too intense, your body will metabolize muscle as well. This will reduce muscle size and strength. Obviously, that would be best avoided.

Probably one of the best benefits to cardio workouts is their variety. Basically, anything that involves physical activity can be converted into a cardio workout. So, you really can choose a cardio program that fits your interests whether it is tennis, kickboxing, aerobics, or even dance.

This will also have a profound psychological advantage as well since developing an interest in a particular hobby can stimulate a sense of positive feeling within you.

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