If you are looking for a way to get in better shape, you might be thinking about doing more cardio. Cardio refers to endurance sports that consistently elevate your heart rate. When your heart rate stays elevated, you need to burn more calories to keep up with the demands of your body. Therefore, cardio can be a great way to lose weight. At the same time, there are lots of options available if you are looking for cardiac exercises. What are a few examples of cardio workouts you may want to consider? Take a look at a few examples below.
Go For a Jog
One of the most basic forms of cardio is running. Running is a great way to get your body moving, increase your heart rate, and burn calories. If you have not run in a long time, you should not expect yourself to go and run ten miles immediately. You may want to start by walking around the block for approximately 30 minutes every day. This is a great way to get started. Then, you can mix in a few minutes of jogging as you get in better shape. Finally, you can ask your body to run a mile. Do not try to do too much too quickly. Otherwise, you run the risk of hurting yourself.
Think About Swimming a Few Laps
A lot of people don’t like the way running makes their ankles, knees, and hips feel. If you are looking for something that won’t put as much stress on your joints, then you may want to try swimming instead. Even if you don’t live in a warm area, you can still swim regularly. There is a good chance that there is an indoor pool in your local area, and you may want to check out the local YMCA. Swimming is a great exercise because it will work just about every muscle in your body. It will work not only your legs but your arms as well. Furthermore, swimming will get your heart rate up, helping you lose weight quickly. If you decide to go swimming, make sure you bring a water bottle with you. You may not realize just how much you are sweating while you swim.
Give Yoga a Try
Finally, a lot of people are wondering if yoga is cardio. Depending on the type of yoga you perform, it can absolutely be a cardiac exercise. Yoga is a great option, particularly if you are looking for something that can help you recover from a prior injury. Yoga can help you increase your flexibility, range of motion, and mobility. That way, you might be able to reduce your chances of suffering an injury down the road. If you have not tried yoga before, you may want to consider looking for a few trial classes in the area. You might want to go to a yoga class with a few friends as well.
Consider Performing More Cardio Workouts
These are a few of the top examples you should keep in mind if you want to perform more cardio. It is important for you to take a well-rounded approach to your workout routine. If you want to build lean muscle, you should consider performing some weight-bearing exercises. This can also load your joint mechanically, which may prevent the development of osteoporosis down the road. At the same time, you need to keep your cardiovascular system healthy as well. This means performing cardio regularly. If you burn more calories, you can lose weight, keep yourself in shape, and prevent the development of chronic medical problems down the road.