WHY IS CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS SO IMPORTANT?

Cardiovascular exercise is any exercise, which raises your heart rate. It can be running, cycling, aerobics, swimming or many other types of exercise. Intensity should cause the pulse rate to go up to 55-90% of your resting heart rate and it should be performed every other day.

1. Fat burning

If you perform any exercise, your body first will use carbohydrates, which is your first source of energy (quick energy). If you perform exercise for a longer period of time, your body will switch to your aerobic energy system and will start burning fat after about 20-30 minutes. This is why it is so difficult to reduce cellulite. In weight loss the most important thing is to burn calories, so it does not matter whether  carbs or fats. However,  if your aim is to reduce cellulite you need to increase the time spent on cardio exercising to break fat down.

2. Improved respiratory function

When you do cardio regularly your lungs produce more alveoli. As a result more oxygen can be supplied and more carbon dioxide and waste materials can be removed from your body. If you are over 50 check Exercise Over 50.

3. Improved circulation, heart

Your heart is a double pump, which transports oxygen-rich blood from your lungs into your body to supply tissues with oxygen. Oxygen-poor blood returns through your heart to your lungs for more oxygen (when you exhale you remove carbon dioxide from your body, when you inhale you provide oxygen). The danger for your heart is cholesterol, which builds up in your arteries. Cardiovascular fitness will help to reduce cholesterol and along with risk of cardiovascular diseases, also stroke.

Regular exercising has many health benefits. If you exercise you look better and you feel better. It also helps in depression or anxiety disorders to switch off as you burn adrenaline and reduce stress. It builds your self-esteem, but it also improves quality of your life!

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