Whether you come to Gym Slayer in Elk Grove, CA, or use our online training, you’ll find we use all types of training for fitness in every area. Each type of training has a purpose and is necessary to be healthy. Cardio is important, just as strength, balance and flexibility training are. Cardio is called everything from endurance training to aerobic training, but regardless of what you call it, cardio is necessary for healthy lungs and heart, so you don’t get winded walking to the corner or up a flight of stairs. In fact, the word aerobic literally means “with oxygen.”
Cardio builds your endurance and makes you more energetic.
If you don’t have a fit cardio-vascular system, you won’t be receiving the oxygen you need to keep moving. When your heart pumps, the blood gets oxygen and carries that oxygen to every cell in the body. The increase in circulation increases the nutrition to each cell, too. Your muscles work more efficiently because they have the energy from the increased production of adenosine triphosphate. You build endurance and muscular strength.
Cardio helps your mood.
Have you ever heard of a runner’s high? It’s a real thing. In fact, no matter what the exercise, you will help lift yourself out of depression and a bum mood when you do it. Strenuous exercise not only causes the circulation to increase, it also causes endorphins, the natural “happy hormones” that makes you feel good, increase. It bolsters your mood and energy, both while you’re doing cardio and after you’re done. You’ll have an increased production of feel good hormones like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
Cardio helps your body and your brain.
When your blood circulation increases, not only does the oxygen flow increase to the body, it also increases to the brain. You’ll improve your cognitive functioning, memory and alertness when there’s an adequate oxygen and nutrient supply. It helps keep the brain hydrated, which is important since it’s approximately 70% water and helps take away toxins.
- Consistency is key. You need to get 150 minutes of cardio workouts every week. The good news is that you don’t have to do it in the gym and can even break it up to ten minute sessions. Three ten-minute brisk walks five days of the week can even fill the gap.
- Cardio can help you control arthritis and reduce pain and stiffness. It also can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and maintain blood sugar levels. Some types of cardio help lower the risk of osteoporosis, too.
- Cardio training can help you get a better night’s sleep. Getting adequate sleep is not only important for heart health, it’s good for appetite control. If you have too little sleep, the body produces less leptin—the hormone that makes you feel full—and makes more ghrelin—the one that makes you hungry.
- At Gym Slayer, we’ll help you with a full cardio workout. Each workout will begin with a warm-up and cool-down to help prevent injury. They’ll all be geared to your specific level of fitness.
For more information, contact us today at Gym Slayer