All of us have at some point in our lives heard that cardiovascular (cardio) exercise is good for us. But have you ever asked why? Well it’s probably because of the various health and fitness benefits that can be gained with regular cardio exercise. Cardio exercise is so beneficial that all certified personal trainers ensure that it is included in a fitness plan. Simply defined as any type of physical activity that raises your heart rate and increases blood circulation, cardio exercise can be done in a variety of forms and methods all of which have specific guidelines and benefits. Below are the key benefits you will enjoy with a regular cardio program.
Better Metabolism Rate
Most individuals performing cardio on a regular basis do so because of its effect on the metabolism rate. Along with speeding up your heart rate, cardio exercises also increase your body’s metabolism rate. All forms of cardio exercises are labor intensive and result in the need for more energy which is acquired through burning of calories. The burning of calories in turn results in loss of body fat. With cardiovascular exercises, the more intense a cardio session, the higher the increase in metabolism rate. And an increased metabolism rate is the secret weapon to permanent weigh loss as it results in an easier time maintaining weight.
Better Heart Health
One of the most important benefits of cardio exercise is improved heart condition. The heart is a muscle just like any other and as such gets stronger when frequently worked. Any form of cardio exercise directly impacts the heart and causes an increase in heart rate. Getting the heart to pump at a faster rate for a few minutes every day makes it stronger and healthier. This provides us adequate protection against certain negative health effects as well as enables us to conduct strenuous tasks without getting overly exhausted. Alternatively, if you fail to work your heart it weakens with time and increases the chances of acquiring heart-related complications. Cardio exercise can also be used as a form of therapy for people who have suffered a heart attack or are at risk of suffering from coronary artery disease.
Diabetes Management
Diabetic patients are usually advised by their doctors to take up regular cardio exercises so as to be able to manage their condition. Daily cardio exercises increases the muscles ability to utilize glucose as well as increases the cells sensitivity to insulin. Therefore diabetics who exercise regularly require less insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. They also have better control of their blood sugar levels and as such suffer very little blood sugar swings.
Aside from the mentioned benefits, cardiovascular exercises also help to boost the immune system, strengthen bones, and lower blood pressure. When considering taking up cardio exercises, it is important to first consult a personal trainer on the various forms of exercises to determine the ideal one. A personal trainer is capable of formulating a workout plan with cardiovascular exercises based on your specific requirements.
Andrea Blackwood is a fitness enthusiast and volunteer writer for http://lazenbypt.com/. Health and fitness have always been a huge part of Andrea’s life from her professional career to her personal life.