Love your heart with cardio

What is Cardio?

Cardio is any form of movement that raises your heart and breathing rates at the same time challenges the heart, lungs, and circulatory system to improve their function.

Types of Cardio

1) Aerobic - best for long and relatively easy activities and for low-intensity workouts like brisk walking.

2) Anaerobic - include bursts of energy performed at maximum effort in a short time.

Benefits of Cardio

Cardio challenges and strengthens the cardiovascular system which increases its capacity to take in oxygen, pump blood to the working muscles, and clear carbon dioxide and other waste products from your system. Plus, as your heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood, your resting heart rate slows, reducing the stress on your most vital muscle.

Cardio keeps your metabolism elevated which helps burn fat. You'll feel the good effects long after your exercise is done.

By engaging in cardio regularly, the regions of the brain that control memory and thinking skills grow in volume or size. Frequent cardiovascular activity also improves cognitive function by slowing the rate of shrinking brain size.

Cardio improves many aspects of health, including heart health, mental health, mood, sleep, weight regulation, and metabolism.

Which are the most common cardiovascular exercises?

• Brisk walking

• Running

• Jogging or jogging in place

• Burpees

• Swimming

• Water aerobics

• Cycling/bicycling

• Dancing

• Cross-country skiing

• Rowing

• Kayaking, paddling, or canoeing

• Circuit training

The most frequently used machines for cardio exercises include:

• Treadmill

• Stepping machine

• Stationary cycles

• Ski trainer

• Rowing machine

• Elliptical trainer

• Recumbent bike

• Upright bike

Next time when you take a stroll, know that you are doing cardio. Even if you are headed to the ice cream truck.