Adding cardiovascular exercise, or “cardio”, to your workout provides tremendous health and fitness benefits. Cardio workouts elevate your heart rate, burn calories, reduce body fat, and boost endurance. This article will provide an overview of some excellent cardio exercise options to incorporate into your routine.
Top Cardio Exercises to Add
Here are some great cardio exercises to include in your training:
Running – Whether on a treadmill or outdoors, running is one of the most effective cardio workouts. It burns substantial calories and improves cardiovascular fitness.
Cycling – Stationary bikes, spinning classes, or outdoor cycling all deliver an intense heart-pumping workout for the lower and upper body.
Swimming – This non-impact exercise allows you to reap cardio benefits while easy on the joints. Different strokes also work various muscles.
Jumping Rope – Skipping rope is a fun, portable cardio workout. Jumping continuously for 15-30 minutes provides serious fat-burning.
Rowing – Rowing machines imitate the fluid motion of rowing a boat, working the legs, back, arms, and abs. Just a few minutes can get your heart rate soaring.
Tips for an Effective Cardio Workout
Follow these guidelines for maximizing your cardio training sessions:
- Warm up for 5-10 minutes to prepare your body
- Sustain an elevated heart rate for at least 20-30 minutes
- Cool down and stretch afterwards to aid recovery
- Mix up speeds and levels of intensity
- Stay well hydrated before, during, and after
Reap the Rewards of Cardio Exercise
Adding cardio exercise improves heart health, builds endurance, burns calories, and helps maintain a healthy weight. Try incorporating some of the top cardio workout options like running, cycling, and swimming into your fitness regimen 2-3 times per week.
If you want a personalized cardio workout plan tailored to your fitness goals, message us on our Facebook page to learn more about our custom training services. For more general exercise tips, watch out here on our website. Let’s get your heart pumping together!
