Do you exercise for heart health?

May 12th, 2010 by admin

“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.” ~ Marsha Doble

It is recommended that you do both cardio and strength training. Here is an article on the importance of cardio exercise.

Understanding the Importance of Cardiovascular Exercise By Mark Vermont

Many people work out for many different reasons-some look to a fitness routine to help them lose weight, while others want to gain muscle, confidence, and sometimes, just live a healthier lifestyle than the one they’re living now. When it comes to the kinds of exercises you should be doing, one option that benefits everyone, no matter what age or size, is cardiovascular exercise.

Cardiovascular exercise, often called “cardio,” is a great foundation to any fitness routine. Cardio helps increase the heart rate, which can help strengthen your body, reduce your risks for heart disease, improve your heart function, and improve your cholesterol levels.

Typical cardio exercises may include walking, running, swimming, biking, running on elliptical cross-training machines, or any other activity that gives you an overall workout while increasing your heart rate, thus burning calories, fat, and allowing you to strengthen your muscles-including the most important muscle of them all, your heart!

When it comes to doing cardio, you will want to consider your heart rate. You should keep your target heart rate sustained for 20-30 minutes during a cardio fitness session to get the benefits of a cardio workout. Your target heart rate can be found with a little math, or you can also get a heart-rate monitor to wear during your workout to make sure you’re staying in your range for the maximum benefits and results with your workout.

Whatever it is you like to do, go with it. If you prefer to run outside more than inside, then skip the treadmill and dress for the outdoors-chances are, if you enjoy your workout, you’ll stick with it. Also, if you like a few different kinds of cardiovascular exercises, feel free to mix it up a little throughout the week to keep it interesting and eliminate the boredom factor. This, along with a dislike for the activity, can lead to a loss of desire to continue and stick with a scheduled fitness routine.

As with any new fitness routine, it is a good idea to get a physical done by your doctor and discuss medical conditions or injuries that may inhibit you from doing the cardio workouts you desire. You will want to make sure that you are in proper shape, are on a nutritional daily diet, and that you are physically capable of performing cardio workouts without restrictions or possible limitations that can cause injury to your body. Once you get the go-ahead from the doctor and a little fitness guidance, you will be on the road to a racing heart and a healthier you!

A little cardio a few times a week, along with a proper nutritional daily diet can help you get stronger, leaner and healthier in a short period of time. Not only will your heart thank you, but so will the rest of your body! There is nothing better than the slow down after a good cardio workout!

Mark has been writing on various topics over the last couple of years. His latest website is http://powerwheelstoys.org which provides people with information on the latest Power Wheels ATV on the market.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Vermont

TODAY’S TIP: For cardio you want to get your heart rate up to 70 to 8o% of your maximum heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. or more. No more than 6 times a week.

Did you work your heart today?