Cardio Work Out Tips

You know the importance of regularly engaging in some form of cardiovascular exercise three to five days a week is for managing weight and achieving optimum health. Cardio exercises aim to keep your heart rate elevated. The right cardio workouts can put you on the path to achieving better health and fitness.

  1. Schedule a Medical Evaluation

    • Before beginning any new fitness regimen, see your doctor for a complete exam. An exam will rule out any medical factors that could make an intense cardio workout detrimental to your health.

    Switch Up Workouts

    • It's easy to get hooked on one type of cardio exercise and continue doing it day in day out. Although it's good to put forward the effort to fit exercise into each day, you'll get better results when you switch routines now and then. When you first start working out regularly you'll notice results, but if you continue doing the same workout on the treadmill every day you'll notice your body reaches a plateau with little or no change. If the treadmill is your workout of choice, vary your routine by including different activities like spinning class, swimming and speed walking.

    Vary Workout Intensity

    • Many people think the length of time is important when it comes to cardio workouts. However, the intensity of the workouts is also important. In fact it is possible to get the same physical benefits from 15 minutes of high intensity exercise as you can from 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Varying intensity from workout to workout pushes your body to work harder.

    Stretch

    • According to Bob Green, professional fitness trainer and author of "Bob Green's Total Body Fitness," stretching before and after exercising is essential. In his book Bob states, "Stretching helps the muscles release (and) improves flexibility." You can risk pulling a muscle or winding up with an injury if you don't warm up and stretch your muscles before and after working out. Stretching before you work out will also give you better range of motion.

      Bob also says that stretching after a cardio exercise session is ideal because your muscles are nicely warmed up and more flexible.

    Drink Water

    • You need water to keep your body well hydrated before, during and after working out. If your muscles become dehydrated during your workout, it can affect your performance. Dehydrated muscles don't move as well. About two to three hours before working out, drink two to three 8-oz. cups of water. Keep a bottle of water close by during cardio workouts. Take a few sips every 15 to 20 minutes as you exercise. This will help you stay hydrated and get the most out of your workout.