What is Cardio?
Cardiovascular exercise, or cardio, as it’s known by many, is a term used to describe aerobic workouts. While doing exercises aerobically, it means that we are using oxygen and our fat stores for fuel. Anaerobic workouts, such as heavy weights for a limited number of repetitions, is the exact opposite of cardio. Anaerobic exercising relies upon creatine stores, amongst other things for fuel, though it does have some cardiovascular benefits to offer from a health standpoint. As a longtime Austin personal trainer, you can be assured that I have plenty of people doing cardio with, and without me, and for a multitude of reasons.
Who Does Cardio?
Cardiovascular exercise is something that many people do, and for a plethora of reasons. For example, someone looking to lose weight would greatly benefit from doing cardio. The reason being, that especially when done on an empty stomach, cardiovascular exercise is how we burn through our fat stores. If the aforementioned trainee was to go for a brisk walk, swim, bike ride, etc, first thing after waking, and on an empty stomach, they would be burning their body fat stores and oxygen in order to fuel the exercise. Naturally, this leads to lower body fat levels, especially when coupled with a proper nutrition plan. People ask me as personal trainer in Austin, how to lose weight all of the time seemingly. The first thing I’ll want to know in order to answer the question, is how much cardio do they do, and at what time of the day?
Athletes and Cardio
Athletes ranging from middle school level, all the way to the professional ranks need to do cardio, no matter what sport they compete in. Very seldom will we see a sporting event, or a contest, that lasts for just a few seconds. Therefore, it is imperative that an athlete have a very high level of aerobic conditioning. Think of a soccer player, for example. They run up and down the field throughout the course of the game. It’s a near constant. If they were out of shape with their cardiovascular conditioning, they would be benched almost immediately. Boxers, MMA fighters, swimmers, etc, all need to incorporate an enormous amount of cardio in their training regiments, or they fail professionally. Football players, MMA fighters, etc, have a specific body weight stipulated into their contracts, so they, like the overweight trainee used in a previous example, will need to maintain a specified bodyweight. They as well, like the regular Joe looking to lose weight, will have to embrace cardio.
Is Cardio Fun?
Nobody can tell you assuredly that any exercise is fun. It’s all up to the individual to make the most of it physically, and likewise, to make the best of it physically. It’s work, no question. If there’s work to be done, you simply need to do it. Whether there’s a multi million dollar contract in the balance, or a better self image waiting to be had, lace up your sneakers and get going.
Ready to Get Started?
Andy
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