Cardio. That is the one word that many people that exercise just hate to hear. Gym rats seem to love resistance training but when it comes to doing cardiovascular training they look at it as more of a chore. The fact is that cardio training routines are vital to your all around health and fitness. Let’s look at some ways to make cardio training a regular part of your fitness routine – we won’t make it boring, either.
Running is perhaps the simplest form of cardiovascular exercise you can do. It can be done outdoors or on a treadmill. You can do long distance running or interval training. Interval training is when you sprint a short distance and then walk at a fast pace. You repeat this cycle during a certain time frame, let’s say 15 to 20 minutes. Some claim that interval training is the best way to get in shape, it is also known for its fat burning benefits.
Before you start running you should make sure that you pick the right kind of running shoe. If you don’t have a good running shoe, you may start to develop foot problems from your running workouts. These problems can make it difficult for you to continue in your training, so invest some money in a good pair before you hurt yourself.
Riding a bike is another form of cardio exercise that you can see great benefits from. Like running, you can do this indoors or outdoors. There are many kinds of indoor stationary bikes you can train with. Some of them even monitor your heart rate and how many miles that your have rode on the bike. While training indoors many people like to watch television. Outdoor cycling can be fun because you can enjoy the scenery.
Whether you choose cycling or running start off slow and build up. You can start off with 20 minutes of cardio three times a week. Before you do your actual cardio workout you should stretch and warm-up for at least 5 minutes. When you finish your cardiovascular training you should cool down for 5 to 10 minutes. The warm-up and cool down are done to prevent injuries from happening.
If your goal for your cardio workouts is weight loss, many experts claim that it should be done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It is believed that in this state your body is more likely to burn fat cells than glycogen.
Before you start any kind of cardio training make sure that you see a doctor first to have a physical check up. Safety should always be first when you are considering any exercise program.
