Today I went to the gym for a cardio session followed by ab exercises. Cardio is something that I really do not enjoy doing, but force myself to do anyway because of the benefits! (Doesn't seem like Riley enjoys it either :P)
Here are some reasons why you should incorporate cardio into your workout routine:
1- Gets your heart rate up and blood flowing = heart health!
This is number one for why you should do cardio. It is important to workout your heart like any other muscle. If you don't... over time, it will get weaker and open you up to higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
2- Increases metabolism:
This may not come as a shock, but cardio increases your metabolic processes right along with heart rate. According to Bodybuilding.com, "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). An increased metabolism means an easier time maintaining your weight, or losing weight as the case may be."
3- Improved recovery ability:
Doing a light cardio session after lifting weights helps decrease the recovery time. (Nobody likes not being able to walk after leg day). Cardio brings more oxygen rich blood the muscle tissues, which then helps aid in the repair and rebuilding process. You'll be back in the gym in no time!
4- Makes you feel better! (Really though):
Cardio exercises help release the "feel good hormones" which helps ease feelings of depression and tiredness. It also releases hormones that help decrease appetite. I always notice how I feel great after forcing myself on the stair master for 15 minutes. It may hurt in the beginning, but once you are done you will feel like a million bucks.
So there are few reasons why everyone should incorporate cardio into their fitness routine. I personally enjoy the elliptical, stair master, and walking fast on incline on the treadmill.
pro tip: FIND GOOD MUSIC.. it will make the time pass by faster when you are not constantly looking at the clock and focusing on the music instead :P
You are in a great shape, thank you for sharing vaulable info! Following you now! Have a wonderful day today, Fitgirl! :)
Thank you! followed back :)
This post received a 2% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @scorchdojo! For more information, click here!
Hmm...just for fun, let's see if my resteeming this post to 4600+ followers can beat your benefits. I challenge thee to a duel, @randowhale! :) Resteeming this now at 6:30 A.M., CST, 2 days into the post, with the post at $20.33 and 32 votes.
I am on Team Joanaltres!
Good challenge, upvoted and resteemed!
Probably wasn't a good one to challenge @randowhale on, because a 2% upvote is not much at all. I already beat him.
But I would have resteemed this anyway - I've resteemed one of @fitgirl's posts before now. What I like about her is that she is persistent. She didn't quit when she was making just cents, and now she has increased her earnings per post. If she keeps at it and doesn't give up, she wins.
Where my resteems earn the most for the author is when the post already has some traction - the more money it has already made, the more it makes during 24-48 hours after I resteem it. But it always depends on the people viewing it, if they like it or not, resteem it themselves or not, etc.
I really appreciate your support! :D
your look very beautiful nice post
Hey great article there's nothing like a little cardio workout change your mood, relieve stress, and reset your entire emotional being.
Thanks! I totally agree :P
I love cardio with some rock music played.
I need more cardio...
Hmm I gave you a @randowhale vote but it didn't comment on how big it was... Oh well enjoy!
Great post ...
Great list, there is really no reason to not get up and move.
Cardio is also proven to
Wish you a healthy sunday.
Want to make it fun? GET A ROAD BIKE!! Get outdoors out of the gym and go explore.
The dog looks like it has had a good workout and just wants a nap now. :-)
meep
hahaha she's either super lazy (like that day) or full over energy jumping over our furniture. Love it!
Cardio is important! I have a great playlist, jump alot of rope before and after weights.
Cardio is the best! I do running, swimming and riding the bicycle. With music indeed, cant imagine without it :)
Swimming is great exercise. Literally works out every muscle in your body. Especially the heart!
Notice that cardio boosts my over all energy level and of course stamina. Like a battery recharge.
So true about the music, if it's loud enough it can help to cover up the sound of my heavy breathing too!
Thats another benefit! good thinking! lol
Cardio is a pain in the ass but the feeling after a good session is nothing short of magical. This is sadly lacking in my life right now.
Great post!
Thank you! Hope it motivates you :)
Yep, your post inspired me to go for a brisk bike ride this evening instead of sitting at home. Thank you :)
That makes me so happy! Yayyy :D
Thanks for the tips! Cute pup by the way!
Thank you! :)
I feel too unfit to even read this. I shall do cardio today.
haha glad I inspired you! :P
I love how your dog is chilling.
she wasn't feelin the cardio that day :P
@fitgirl
I despise cardio but do cardio 5 times a week.
And as we age, nothing is better for maintaining heart/lung function.
@demandpeace
Yup just gotta do it!
nice article, i lift weights on a regular basis, but i HATE cardio with a passion, i really just need to find a version of cardio i can enjoy... but running isn't it for sure,lol
I despise running as well :P
Very informative. Thanks for sharing @fitgirl
Thank you :)
I always use the music technique ahahah music is like meditation for me
Way to go! Definitely looking fit. I'm waiting on a treadmill that plays songs that guide you through a workout. Like at first, it puts on some slow jams for the warmup and you run to the beat of the song, then ramps up to some Don't Stop Me Now by Queen or some upbeat Electro stuff, and then eventually ends with like Marvin Gaye or something
Thank you!! And that sounds like a pretty motivational treadmill haha a good way to keep focused :)
There are apps on your phone you can get! They will match up with your workout, whether it is weight lifting or cardio, they will guide you through your session!
I get my cardio from basketball. I don't like being on a treadmill or anything like that.
to each their own :)
wish there was a clue for laziness :)
Lol right!
Love this post! As a fitness addict and competitor, I agree - cardiovascular activity has many benefits - especially after weight training. Have you ever tried fasted cardio? Fasted cardio also has many benefits - it increases fat burn even more, you experience a huge spurt of energy and I find that I have more energy throughout the day. Fasted cardio is not something you should do every single day but a few times a week! If you have not tried it, you should!!
Good post! Aside from all the health benefits everyone mentioned I would add one more - fortitude. Sure cardio training is good for physical endurance but the value of fortitude is not given enough credit.
Fortitude is the ability to keep going despite discomfort, pain or other factors that tell you to quit in the back of your mind. Doing something hard, despite not wanting to is a huge benefit when a serious challenge arises. There is an almost zen like quality to it. What makes some people tougher than others? Physical strength? Sometimes. However strength can leave you. Age, injury, illness all can zap physical strength instantly. It is then you need fortitude. Cardio, especially of the rigorous variety, can develop fortitude and the payoff can be huge in a dire situation. So even if you hate cardio, embrace the suck and reap the rewards.