24 Sep Exploring the Benefits of Cardio Workouts

When you work out with equipment such as ellipticals, treadmills, rowing machines and bikes, you are able to successfully get your heart pumping while also exercising the muscles in your legs, arms and back. In addition to helping you lose weight and develop a firmer and more attractive body, there are several other benefits to cardiovascular exercise that many people don’t realize.

Making Your Heart Strong

Although you don’t see it on the outside, the most important benefit to getting regular cardio exercise is making your heart stronger.  Remember, your heart is a muscle.  Therefore, the more you work it out, the stronger it becomes.  When you engage in regular cardio exercise, you give your heart a regular workout and make it stronger along with the rest of your body.  You will undoubtedly begin to notice the increased strength in your heart while performing regular, every day tasks.  When walking up the stairs, for example, you will feel less winded and will be able to complete other regular tasks with less difficulty.

While making your heart stronger, you will also help reduce your risk of heart disease.  Of course, your heart disease risk is also increased by other factors, such as:

• Smoking
• Being Overweight
• Genetic Factors
• Having High Cholesterol

By regularly working out, however, you can effectively reduce your cholesterol and your weight.  This, in turn, will help reduce your risk of heart disease.  Since heart disease can affect both sexes as well as people of all ages, it is important to pay attention to your heart and to take proper care of it – regardless of how old you are.  Getting some cardio exercise just a few times per week will go a long way toward reducing your risks of heart disease.

Making You Feel Good

By engaging in regular cardio exercise, you will also feel much better.  In fact, many people experience what is referred to as a “runner’s high,” which occurs when cardiovascular exercises releases certain “feel good” hormones.  If you are feeling stressed out, cardio exercise offers the perfect way to release that stress.

Engaging in regular cardio exercise can also help you feel more energized.  This is partially because of the hormones that are released, but is also because cardio exercise increases your metabolism.  Not only does this give you an energy boost, it also helps burn excess calories and fat.

The amount of cardio you should engage in each week depends upon your personal goals and current level of fitness.  Many experts recommend getting 20 minutes of cardio exercise about three to four times per week, but others recommend getting 30 to 45 minutes of cardio exercise three to five times per week.  If you are just getting started, however, any exercise is better than none!