Cardio exercise is any exercise that raises your heart rate. Face it our bodies were made to move. And we all know that to keep our muscles in shape we need move them. This movement makes them stronger and stronger muscles make for a more efficient and healthy body. Your heart is a muscle. Therefore working it makes it stronger. A stronger cardio-vascular system means more capillaries delivering more oxygen to cells in your muscles. This enables your cells to burn more fat during both exercise and inactivity.

Cardio exercise uses large muscle movement over a sustained period of time keeping your heart rate to at least 50% of its maximum level. To obtain your Target Heart Rate check out our calculator at www.healtstatus.com – calculators – Target Heart Rate. Sample cardio workouts would be walking, running, bike riding, and swimming, rowing and aerobic workouts. Workouts should cause moderate sweating. If you can’t finish a sentence while doing your workout you are going at it too hard. If you are having no trouble talking step it up. You need a minimum of 20 minutes of continued elevated pulse to get the best results at least 3 times a week. To see best results it is recommended that there is 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week. Cardio exercises will burn fat. Weight loss comes from burning more calories than you take in. Even when you see no specific weight loss you are getting great benefits from a cardio workout. Benefits: Weight Loss Stronger Heart and Lungs Increased Bone Density Reduces Stress Better Sleep More Energy Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease Teaches the Heart to Work More Efficiently Strengthens Heart & Lungs Increased Energy Levels for a More Active Lifestyle Reduction in Mood Swings & Depression In order to feel good now and in the future you need cardio exercise. It will not create 6 pack abs or tone problem areas but it will make your body more efficient in your day to day living.

To get in your cardio, be sure to try one of our Fast and Furious or Hot Yoga Fusion and Pilates classes at one of our Vancouver Yoga Studios or Fraser Valley Yoga Studios today!