Cardio workouts boost overall fitness

Majority of the people engage themselves in routine physical activity for heart health or for maintaining body weight. Best suited physical activities for all age groups for these purposes are cardio exercises.

Cardio or cardiovascular exercises are exercises that increase the heart rate and sustain the elevated heart rate for a certain period of time. Exercise like running, jogging, bicycling, swimming and playing sports come under cardiovascular exercises. This type of physical activity is also called as aerobic activity as it involves oxygen supply. During the physical activity, the body muscles get worked up and the demand for the oxygen increases. To meet the need lungs pump faster improving the overall fitness and energy levels.

Apart from promoting weight loss and heart health cardio exercises have many other benefits. They beat stress, increase mental alertness, build stamina and for many people it increases self-esteem. Many studies suggest losing weight through cardio exercises than through dieting alone. Dieting often leads to decreased muscle mass and weakness.
Benefiting from the cardio exercises can be done from home and also outdoors. Wide variety of   domestic workout equipment is available these days. Boredom while exercising can be eradicated by listening to music, watching favourite TV show, or even conversing with friends and family members. Those who do not want to spend money on workout machines or gyms can exercise outdoors which are any day better as we can enjoy the beauty of the nature also at the same time.
The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity every day for those who do not have serious health complications. But most of the fitness experts suggest variable period and intensity of exercises based on the specific need and fitness goals of the individuals.
Only thing people should remember is where to limit. Listening to your body is very important. Overdoing might result in problems like joint pains, muscle loss and a slower metabolism.