ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
13.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Great Benefits Of Cardiovascular Exercise

Author: Susan Jan Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 29-04-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 252 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

There are some key factors to consider when exercising, to achieve maximum results. These factors include; the duration of each exercise, the intensity, the frequency you work out, and whether or not you use interval training. This article will examine each one of these aspects to help you achieve the maximum benefit from your cardio workouts. Cardio is important for both weight loss and good cardiovascular health. Some body builders forget the importance of cardio, because they do not want to lose muscle mass as a result. It is important that part of your exercise regime focuses on aerobics. Contrary to what some people believe, cardio will not reduce your muscle mass. It will help you build up endurance and gain more definition in your physique. Below is a list of reasons why you should keep up to date with your cardio workouts.

* Lowers blood pressure and resting heart rate * Burns calories * Helps prevent disease, such as heart attacks and obesity * Increases endurance * Good mental health * Sheds off that layer of unwanted fat * Increases blood flow to your muscles, which results in more nutrients being delivered to them

Intensity Intensity means how hard you are working during your activities. Intensity is a key component for optimal health and fat loss. Beginners should target a heart rate of lower that 55% of their maximum heart rate, while intermediate and advanced people should aim for about 65-90%. Your maximum heart rate level is approximately 220 minus your age, but of course this may vary depending on your fitness level. Gym equipment and fitness equipment usually have hand sensors that will tell you what your heart rate is at, so that you can maintain a good level of intensity throughout your workout. If you find these sensors annoying to hold or you are outside, an easy way to see how hard you are working is to see how well you can talk. If you can sing during your work out, you are most definitely slacking. If you can barely talk, you are probably working too hard. The idea is to be barely be able to talk.

Duration Duration is how long you do a continuous aerobic activity in one session. Ideally, you should be training between 20 and 60 minutes per session. If you are a beginner, you may start by doing shorter workouts, of about 10 minutes at a time. Once you become stronger and more comfortable, you should start to increase your exercise time. You should NEVER, EVER strain yourself, especially if you are a fresh to exercise. If you feel weak, sick or dizzy, slow down or stop, and of course, consult a physician if you have any health problems before you begin. Note that although cardio will not promote muscle loss, if your goal is to add mass you should only be doing about 20-30 minutes a time or else you will burn too many calories.

Frequency You should generally perform cardio workouts 3 to 5 times per week; unless you have a lot of fat to lose then you can go for 5 to 7 times per week. You should never space your cardio sessions out for more than 48 hours because your body start to loose the positive effects of the previous workout.

Interval Training Interval training is a cardio workout that will take less time than a regular cardio workout and burn more calories. This type of workout is very effective and you will only need to do it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. An example of interval training is to run for 3 minutes and walk briskly for 2 minutes. You continue this cycle until your workout is complete (do not forget to warm up!). This type of workout is great for preventing the boredom that can come with steady state cardio and boosts fat loss. Interval training is also good for improving your cardiovascular abilities and preventing the muscle loss that can come with regular cardio. Remember that you should always be changing the duration of your running and walking time to keep your body guessing. This type of cardio can be done on virtually any cardio machine, and also outdoors.

Rate this Article: Current: 3 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/great-benefits-of-cardiovascular-exercise-25138.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
For more useful tips on fitness equipments, visit Susan's site at Elliptical Trainer Depot. Susan's articles on a wide range of topics are available at Shopping and Society Hub.
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Toddler health
By: HEATHERP20 | 04-10-2007
What do i do for my  3 year old that drank A soda with flies in it

Pregnant?
By: confuse | 01-10-2007
Lately my breast have been sore, and gotten bigger. My period only last 2 days. Am/Was I pregnant and had a miscarriage? What's going on with my body?

Vomitting properly
By: murnot11 | 30-09-2007
I hate throwing up, how do i not let it get up in my nose?

How do you get rid of a cold fast?
By: tsheff | 29-09-2007
how do you get rid of a cold fast?

I have a tibia stress fracture in my left leg. I ...
By: danigoose | 27-09-2007
I have a tibia stress fracture in my left leg. I've been recovering for nearly 6 weeks, and it's starting to feel much better, however, I can still feel a lump/knot in there. Does that mean it's not healing?

Kimkins and "Kimmer" controversy
By: ghoov | 25-09-2007
Are you aware of the overwhelming amount of information coming out about Kimmer's real identity as an obese woman and not the 118lb woman in the red dress as she claims to be?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Non-Fiction Articles

Book Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy
By: Rosey Dow | 06/10/2008
Make an informed decision about the direction of your writing career--print or online, or both.

In the Lap of the Gods 22
By: Steve Morgan | 05/10/2008
For those who have read the other 21 chapters

A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother
By: Karen Dosw | 03/10/2008
A humorous article about a week in the life of one South African, single mom with two adult children and two little ones.

Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Write for free? I can hear you saying, “Are you nuts?” Write for free, so you can get paid. Read more inside.

Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
You asked if they had a job opening. They said no. They told me “no”, too, but I got the job anyway. Read more inside.

Becoming a Reporter is Easy
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Do you want to be a reporter? It’s a great way to break into print, and the jobs aren’t that hard to get. Read this article to learn more.

Writing it Down
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
Lately I’ve developed a compulsion to write everything down. Stringing words together and composing sentences in the shower, I want to write it all down – remember it – capture it. I stare at people in the subway and craft their character descriptions in my head...

The Modern Lily Tomlin
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
I’m waiting in a conference room that smells like the corner of career aspiration and stale office carpet. The overly heavy and overly bitter receptionist has a voice that is piercing through the makeshift conference room with walls that only go up about 7 feet. Like an annoying hiccup, she keeps repeating “Good morning, Hudson. Your name? Hold please.” Over and over again. She is an extra large version of what the rest of the world has automated already.

More from Susan Jan

How To Prepare For Your Rhinoplasty Surgery
By: Susan Jan | 20/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Rhinoplasty is a rather simple cosmetic procedure that is performed on millions of patients all across the USA every year. But you should be adequately informed about the surgery before taking the final decision.

Dating - Finding Your Ideal Partner
By: Susan Jan | 20/12/2006 | Dating
In this fast-paced world it is getting harder to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. When you see someone that you feel somewhat attracted to, it is not as if you can propose marriage to right away no matter how eager you are to settle down. Nor can you afford to let that person get away and out of your life forever. This is where your dating skills come in handy.

Protect Yourself With Travel Insurance Policy
By: Susan Jan | 20/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Everybody eagerly looks forward to his or her next vacation. But all your excitement and all the meticulous planning can go astray if something unpleasant and unexpected happens during your vacation. You can better cope with these emergency situations without letting all the money that went into paying the air tickets, hotels etc. go to waste by purchasing a travel insurance policy.

Short-Term Medical Insurance - Best Option For Young Adults
By: Susan Jan | 19/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
As you live your life, you should consider buying a medical insurance to provide a protective coverage for your health. Maybe at this stage of your life as you enter into adulthood you cannot really afford major medical insurance, but a short term medical insurance should suffice. It really does not matter what type of medical health insurance you buy, as long as you have one is what matters.

Home Equity Loan - Factors To Consider
By: Susan Jan | 19/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Your home provides you a wonderful means of securing a huge amount of credit by using your home equity as collateral. In recent times, more and more homeowners are viewing home equity loan as the most convenient way to consolidate their other debts and to get additional funds.

Benefits Of Mortgage Refinancing
By: Susan Jan | 19/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Sometimes you are faced with a tough decision in order to improve your personal financial situation. A mortgage refinance is one such aspect of your personal finance that can breathe some life into your stagnant financial situation.

DJ Equipments - Find Great Prices Online
By: Susan Jan | 19/12/2006 | Music
DJ equipments are rather costly and for anyone just starting out, they may not have the necessary budget. One great source you can purchase from is online. Not only can you get the equipments at a lower price than from the retail stores, you can also compare all the various brands and models and their different features and prices.

Travel Insurance For Peace Of Mind During Your Travels
By: Susan Jan | 19/12/2006 | Non-Fiction
Just try to imagine the gravity of an emergency situation where you have to deal with an emergency medical situation due to an illness or an accident or injury. Any of these situations can throw you into a panic if you are not adequately prepared. And this preparedness comes from having travel insurance.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below