Cardio for Physical Health - By: Samantha Finley

It’s hard to go a day without hearing or reading about how exercise is essential for health. And that the recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes, 5 days a week, of aerobic exercise, otherwise known as cardio.

But what is cardio anyway? Cardio exercise is about elevating your heart rate and increasing breathing respirations with moderate activity for an extended period of time. By doing exercise like this, people can greatly improve their health and extend their lives.

Health Improvements

Regular cardio exercise will improve a person’s stamina for every day living. It will improve hypertension, insulin resistance, and will lead to weight loss. All of these things help with preventing heart disease and diabetes – two huge health concerns for today’s population – and if patients already have these diseases, cardio exercise will improve one’s chances for survival.

Cardio Exercise Options

Someone wanting to start an exercise program doesn’t have to jump right in to a heavy duty cycle spinning class or running a 10K. Simply walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes will get the blood pumping and lungs working. A good pace is 3 to 4 miles an hour. You should be breathing more heavily but be able to carry on a conversation with someone.

In addition to walking, a person could try jogging, riding a bicycle or swimming. Even yard or house work could be included if the activity is sustained and a person is working hard enough to raise their heart rate and respirations.

What to Avoid

You do not want to over exert yourself when starting a new exercise program. The goal is to start an exercise routine that you can do every day for the rest of your life. A brisk walk may not seem like much, but if you have primarily been sedentary, then doing a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day will soon improve your health and help you to lead a longer life.

About the Author

Samantha Finley is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on improving your physical health, Creative Write Now offers readers information on improving physical health by journaling.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Samantha-Finley/190642

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