Cardio Workouts
What is a cardiovascular workout? It is any moderate physical activity that can increase your oxygen demands and heart rate. Your aerobic fitness level depends on how much oxygen you are able to take in, transport and utilize, as well as how strong your heart is.
The Benefits of a Cardiovascular Workout
More often than not, the first benefit of a cardiovascular workout that comes to mind is that it helps burn body fat. If your primary goal is to burn fat, then your training should be aerobic.
Another benefit of a cardiovascular workout is that it can act as an antidepressant. A cardiovascular workout can help fight off light and moderate depression, and it can help improve memory and brain function as well. Aerobic exercise affects the same things in your body that the antidepressants do, but one big advantage is that there are absolutely no side effects. This means that you will deal more effectively with stressful situations.
Did you know that a cardiovascular workout can increase your lifespan? That's right! This reason alone is enough to make you want to do some cardio exercises right now.
Before you start any habitual exercise program, it makes sense to consult a medical professional for physiological testing to ensure that your body can handle it. Your doctor can usually do this, but you could also consult a sports medicine professional. There is also the option of talking to a physical therapist if you are coming back after some kind of injury.
Timing
Now that you know how good a cardiovascular workout is for your body, you are probably wondering how long one cardiovascular workout session should last. Generally speaking, a good starting point would be to train two or three times a week, with each session being 20 minutes long. This is a good way to train because you will still have time for all the other things in your life.
When it comes to timing, what it really depends on is your schedule. Some cardio is better than no cardio, right? Right! But you should try to reap as many benefits as you can. One great way to start a day is to do cardio exercises in the morning. And it is even better to do it before breakfast!
Another good option is to do cardio exercises after a weightlifting session. This is because it can help burn body fat easier. But be careful because it can also help burn some muscle mass.
And finally, doing cardio exercises at night is a beautiful way to end your day. A 30-minute cardio workout session 60 to 90 minutes before going to sleep is the best solution.
Forming a Habit
It is up to you to choose when you feel the most comfortable doing cardio exercises. The key for forming a healthy habit is to keep it up consistently. So, do your best and don't allow yourself to quit.