Get Lean With Cardio

Photo Credit: Meagan E. Klein USN PD
A cardiovascular workout, or just cardio, is the best way to burn fat, strengthen muscle and lose weight. Cardio is any exercises that increases your heart and breathing rates. Your metabolism will kick in and burn calories while strengthening muscle. Most people are familiar with running and jogging for cardiovascular exercise, but any exercise that gets your heart pumping and your body sweating is a cardio workout. Brisk walking, swimming, bicycling, step aerobics and aerobic dance classes burn fat and strengthen the entire body. Cardiovascular workouts help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall heart and lung function. Your bones are also strengthened by cardio workouts. Cardio will help lower your bad cholesterol levels and increase muscle mass. Make sure to check with your doctor and get moving today! 
Running and jogging are the best way to burn calories and lose fat. It doesn’t matter if you run outdoors in a park, around the block or on a treadmill. If you get your heart pumping, your lungs working harder and your body sweating, you are doing aerobic cardiovascular exercise that burns fat. Get at least 20 minutes to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day. If you are a beginner, start with 5 minutes to 10 minutes and gradually increase the cardio exercise time to about 50 minutes to 60 minutes as you grow stronger and more fit. Running and jogging put a lot of stress on the joints of your feet and legs. Make sure you wear shoes with support and adequate cushioning to protect and support your feet. When running or jogging outdoors, select a route with an even surface without obstacles. Many city parks have walking-running paths. If you are obese or have not exercised in years, start slowly by walking for about 10 minutes every day. 

Did you play jump rope with your friends as a kid? Jumping rope is a powerful cardiovascular workout that can burn more than 300 calories in half an hour! Wear some supportive shoes and start jumping rope. If you are a beginner, try to jump rope for 5 minutes at a time until you build up your strength. Gradually add 5 minutes of jumping every day until you can jump rope steadily for a full 30 minutes. 

One Response to Get Lean With Cardio

  1. Lots of good fitness info there Robin. Keep up the great posts

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