Cardio
Whether you’re an amateur or professional athlete, someone who works out, or just interested in sports, you’ve surely heard of cardio exercises. So what is cardio, and why is it important?
The word “cardio” is derived from the Greek word “kardia,” which means “heart,” and in English it also refers to the heart and its associated blood vessels and arteries.
Cardio can be defined as anything (not necessarily exercise) that raises the heart rate and increases breathing rate, which greatly helps strengthen the heart and lungs and improve their function and that of the respiratory system, in addition to burning fat and calories.
Cardio Exercises
Based on the definition we mentioned earlier, all physical activities—such as running, swimming, cycling, and even walking and weight training—can be considered cardio exercises, provided that two basic conditions are met: an increased heart rate and faster breathing.
The Benefits of Cardio Exercises
The benefits of cardio exercises are no different from those we mentioned in the article The Benefits of RunningIt helps burn fat and calories, reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, improves lung function and strengthens bones, enhances sleep quality and mood, and boosts self-esteem by helping you achieve a more beautiful and attractive appearance.
How to get started, and how to choose the right exercise. If you already know what kind of sport you prefer, all you have to do is start or resume practicing it; but if you don’t know or if your preferred sport is difficult to practice for one reason or another—for example, if you’ve moved to a country without water or seas and you used to live in a country where you practiced rowing—it might be a good idea to try out more than one sport until you find one that suits you. To get started, I recommend trying sports that don’t cost you much time or money, such as walking or light jogging around your neighborhood, riding a bicycle if you already own one, or doing bodyweight exercises and jumping rope at home. All of these activities provide most of the benefits of cardio exercise and are inexpensive. From my personal experience, there may be times when you don’t feel like doing your usual workout—that’s okay. Try a different activity, and you’ll still get the benefits of cardio. Always aim to do these exercises at least three days a week.
