Benefits You May Get From Cardio Training

August 29th, 2006

Cardio training or aerobic exercise is any activity that employs the use of considerably large groups of muscles in a continuous and rhythmic manner throughout certain periods of time. The most common examples of which are running, skiing, skating, sprinting, tae bo, elliptical training, walking, rowing, and biking. In some cases, circuit training is also categorized as cardio training since it requires continuous movements from one form of exercise to another.

In essence, cardio training works by elevating the maximum heartbeat the organ may reach somewhere around 65-80%. This state is called aerobic or heart beat state because only in here, and in some special instances will the heart reach such great increase in heart rate.

As we all know, there are many benefits that may be had with cardio training. Aside from strengthening and raising the level of endurance of the heart and the lungs, cardio training also helps burn unwanted fats and calories. And since heart problems are one of the major contributing factors to prevalent premature death among men and women, it is extremely important to get involved with any forms of cardio vascular training.

Experts would recommend a minimum of 25 minutes up to 60 minutes of cardio training per session. And there should be a minimum of three sessions in a week and a maximum of five. Being that the normal session should range for around 30 to 40 minutes.

Most people perform cardio training to burn excess calories. With obesity as one of the leading health problems in the Western world today, people are seriously considering doing cardio workouts since they burn much more fats and carbohydrates in so little span of time. But it must be noted that the amount of calories burned during cardio training will always be dependent on the body weight of the exerciser, the intensity of his workouts and the type of activity he does.

Since cardio training is almost always interchangeable with aerobics exercises, it is better to give you a view of what aerobics exercises really are.

Simply put, aerobics exercise is a series of rhythmic exercises that involve large muscle groups (much like with the definition we have for cardio training). The only difference thereof is that aerobics exercises are usually performed along with music in a class of exercisers. But for the majority of active participants, aerobics is much more than that. It is a lifestyle and a philosophy at the same time. On one hand, it is a modernized category of entire body exercise. On another, it is a form of exercise that is both motivating and fun.

Aerobics exercises are ways to improve coordination, mobility and muscle strength along with a number of other things such as psychological and physiological well-being. This form of exercise provide a large host of benefits such as improving your over-all fitness, burning of calories, lowering your susceptibility against developing cardiac arrests and other forms of heart problems. It also increases your mobility, muscle endurance, body postures, reduces stress and alleviate self-esteem by helping you manage your weight properly.

Because cardio training is extremely popular among exercisers, it now has developed numerous sets of styles and procedures that cater almost all the requirements if each individual. Yet, all these may be futile if the motivation of the person himself towards performing cardio training is lacking.

Take the Treadmills Challenge

August 17th, 2006

While some people prefer to distract themselves from their time on treadmills by reading, watching TV or listening to music, those who want to focus on an intense workout can also enjoy treadmills.

Speed, or pace, is an easy variable on treadmills. Setting yourself intervals at a higher speed is not only a good cardio workout, but it keeps you focused on when an interval is coming up, and when it is over and time to ease off.

Incline is the other variable that most treadmills can accommodate. Whether you prefer treadmills that pre-program a variety of “terrains” or treadmills that you manually change to a higher incline, the need to work harder and focus on your timing keeps you attentive to your workout.

An alternative to interval training on treadmills is pyramid training. This means that you set yourself a schedule for continually increasing your speed, or incline, for set time periods, reach your maximum, and then gradually decrease the intensity over those same steps.

Some people will even incorporate their treadmills into a larger workout that encompasses more variety. For example, if you normally work out at a walking pace and don’t want to break into a run, instead try stepping off the treadmill for an interval of lunges or jumping jacks. Or in the slow times of an interval, pump hand weights to work on biceps and triceps.

To keep yourself involved with your treadmill workout, you can try visualizing a mental route. At the peak of your interval you might be climbing Mount Everest (or a nearby mountain you’ve hiked before), while during the slow times you could be enjoying the scenery of a lakeside path.