How to Do a Cardio Workout for Aerobic Fitness

How to Do a Cardio Workout for Aerobic Fitness

Cardio is short for cardiovascular, which refers to the heart. Cardiovascular exercise is exercise that raises your heart rate and keeps it elevated for a period of time. Another name for it is aerobic exercise.

The kinds of exercise that are associated with cardiovascular workouts are things like jogging, fast walking, and swimming where there is no break in the routine. Exercises that emphasize stretch and strength, like Pilates, are generally not considered cardio exercise, though Pilates can be done in a cardio way, and can certainly be combined with cardio workouts to great effect.

The Benefits of Cardio Workouts

There is a hefty list of health benefits associated with doing cardio exercise. Here are some top reasons to include cardio in your workout routine:

It strengthens the heart

It strengthens the lungs and increases lung capacity

It boosts the metabolism, burns calories, and helps you lose weight

It helps reduce stress

It increases energy

It promotes restful sleep

When you are doing cardio exercise, you should be able to talk. If you are too winded to speak comfortably, your heart rate is probably too high and you need to slow down.