The 10 best cardiovascular exercises
February 14, better known as Valentine’s Day, is a party in which lovers exchange tokens of their affection that come from the heart. However, this will not be the only work of hearts on this special day. The heart will also pump an average of about 1,900 gallons of blood a day, which travels throughout the body delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste and carbon dioxide, which sustains life. The stronger your heart, the more likely you are to live a long, healthy, and disease-free life. Here are my top 10 cardio exercises to help keep your heart strong and efficient.
1. Running: the best and most effective way to reduce resting heart rate, running also helps burn calories, strengthens bones, improves joint stability, relieves stress and improves coordination. Running is great for the mind, body and soul.
2. Spinning: Spinning classes are high intensity, challenging and extremely motivating. Keeping the beat and adjusting resistance levels and speed with music creates an infinite amount of workouts that will never bore you.
3. Rowing: A popular water sport that can be practiced indoors, rowing on a good rowing machine is an above-average cardiovascular exercise that also helps strengthen your back, shoulders, arms, legs, and core.
4. Kick-Boxing: A fun and interactive way to increase your fitness level, cardiovascular kick-boxing will have you hitting, kicking, kneeling, and elbowing your way to a healthier heart while teaching you basic but valuable fitness techniques. Self Defense.
5. Climb Up: Whether on a stepping machine or taking the stairs at home or work, climbing or walking has long been a popular way to burn calories while toning the lower body and training the heart and lungs.
6. Jumping: A game that was once popular on the schoolyard is now an intense cardiovascular warm-up often used by boxers, mixed martial artists, and other professional athletes. Jumping is great for timing, balance, speed, and agility, as well as getting a good sweat.
7. Aerobics: Step aerobics have been around in the fitness industry for decades and are a very popular and energetic way to train in a group, with friends, or alone. A good instructor or DVD is a great way to make the most of the timeless wonder known as the stepped platform.
8. Cross Training: As an effective alternative to running without the wear and tear, ellipticals simulate a running motion but keep your feet in contact with the pedals. They offer various levels of resistance to make your workouts more difficult.
9. Incline Walking – For those who can’t handle the high impact of running, adding a hill to your regular walk or an incline on your treadmill can effectively maximize your heart rate during workouts.
10. Swimming: This is an enjoyable, non-impact form of exercise, ideal for the mature and motivated client, for children, and for anyone recovering from injury.
So if you want to be around to spend many more Valentine’s days with your loved one, take the time to regularly exercise your heart. My recommendation would be a minimum of 30 minutes of activity a day. It also doesn’t have to be everything at once. Remember, if you can’t take care of your own heart, how can you take care of someone else’s?