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Why is Cardio Important?


Why does everyone from doctors to fitness experts to nutritionists recommend cardio workouts? Not because they think you’ve been bad and could do with some punishment, but because all cardio activities like walking, jogging, running, swimming, and cycling take up heart and lung power, making them stronger, making cardio the single most effective form of exercise you could ever do. Not only is cardio the best way to start a weight loss programme, but it also helps fight stress. Here are some more reasons to bust out your jogging shoes this August and make cardio workouts a part of your daily exercise routine.


Cardio is crucial for building your stamina. 
Take a look at swimming – it takes up a lot of lung power, while conditioning your breathing. You might start with just three or four laps in the swimming pool, but over time you will find yourself swimming far more laps, maybe even going up to 40 or 50.

Similarly, you can condition your body through other cardio workouts like running and walking by increasing your walking and running speeds and distances covered. Increased stamina in turn also means increased energy. Which means that cardio will help you stay fresh and alert, saving you from resorting to java shots during that 3′o clock conference.

Moreover, when people say that cardio also beats stress, they’re not just being hopeful or vague. When your body kicks into cardio mode, it experiences an increase in blood circulation, as result of which more oxygen is released into your brain. Increased amount of oxygen in your brain de-clutters your mind, helping you think clearly and thus de-stressing you. The lesser you are stressed, the better you are able to rest, relax and recover from hectic work situations. Add to that the one truth about cardio most of you know by heart - cardio leads to weight loss.

How Much Cardio Should You Do Every Day

The American Heart Association
 recommends 30 minutes of cardio everyday. But you might want to talk to an expert if you have any health complications. If you’re a first timer with cardio, look to starting with 20-minutes-a-day cardio workouts, and increase the duration and intensity of exercise to improve your stamina and reach your weight loss targets.

Playing a sport is also an excellent form of cardio that will help you reach the same goals of weight loss, stamina building, and freedom from stress.

Calories Burnt with Common Cardio Activities (on an average per hour)

  • Aerobics: 240 calories
  • Cycling 16km/hr: 240 calories
  • Running: 780 calories
  • Walking: 230 calories
  • Swimming: 800 calories

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