IMPROVED HEART HEALTH

The first one is an improved condition of your heart. Your heart is a muscle just like any other and in order for it to become strong it must be worked. By getting the heart pumping at a faster rate on a regular basis you will keep it in shape and healthy.

INCREASED METABOLISM

Another reason to perform cardio is for its effects on the metabolism. Along with speeding up your heart rate, cardiovascular exercise also increases the rate of various other processes in the body, also known as your metabolism.

Generally speaking, the more intense the cardio session, the more noticeable increase you will see with regards to your metabolic rate. Intense interval sprints (also known as HIIT) increase the metabolism; the highest with a process called EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption). IMPROVED HORMONAL PROFILE

Performing cardiovascular exercise also changes the hormonal profile in your body considerably. It releases ‘feel good’ hormones that will help ease symptoms of depression and fatigue as well as releasing hormones that decrease the appetite.

Individuals who partake in regular cardio exercise often have a much more positive outlook on life.

IMPROVED RECOVERY ABILITY

Certain types of cardio exercise, usually lower, more moderately paced forms, can decrease your recovery time too. If you have just performed a hard session in the gym, hopping on the treadmill for a walk or light jog will help to remove some of the by-products that were created during the lifting session.

MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES

Lastly, for those who have diabetes, cardiovascular exercise helps them manage this condition. By performing the exercise you will increase your muscle’s ability to utilize glucose.
KEY COMPONENT

If you are just getting started, first focus on simply finding an activity that gets you moving and gets your heart rate up. Those are the two key components to what cardio is. Any form of exercise will do, whether it is going for a walk, a bike ride etc.

Once you are able to do 30-45 min 3-5 times a week then step it up a notch and look at those advanced principles. It’s usually better to increase the intensity of your cardio than volume

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