Why Is Cardio So Important?
Those of us in possession of a gym membership go with the intention of moulding our physique or improving our strength.
We often forego cardio workouts in lieu of weight lifting or other anaerobic exercises. 
The thing is, your heart is a muscle too! And it needs just as much attention as the rest of your muscles.
In fact, cardio exercise is even more important for heart health than strength training.
What Is Cardio?
Cardio exercise is any type of continuous, rhythmic activity that encourages your heart to beat faster and pump more blood through your body.
This could be anything from a leisurely jog to a high-intensity spin class.
As long as you’re moving and keeping your heart rate above a certain level, you’re doing cardio.
Related: Cardio Equipment
Why Is Cardio So Important?
Much as we all would (probably) like it to not be true, cardio IS important for our overall health.
Here’s a list of just some of the benefits:
- strengthens your heart muscle and reduces your risk of heart disease
- helps improve your lung function
- can help you maintain a healthy weight
- boosts your mood and helps reduce stress
- gives you more energy
Keeping our hearts healthy should be a top priority, and cardio exercise is one of the best ways to do that.
While you don’t need to do hours of strenuous cardio every day, even moderate exercise has been shown to have significant benefits for heart health.
Why is Cardio So Hard?
As soon as cardio exercise is mentioned in conversation, we guarantee you some people's eyes will roll - it’s just not that fun to do, is it?
The good news is, there are ways to make cardio more enjoyable. If you find yourself struggling to motivate yourself to get moving, here are some tips:
Find an activity you enjoy: There are so many different types of cardio exercise out there, so there’s bound to be something you enjoy. If you don’t like running, try swimming, biking, or rowing instead.
Change up your routine: Doing the same thing over and over again can make cardio feel like a chore. Instead of running on the treadmill for 30 minutes every day, mix things up by trying a different cardio activity each time you work out.
This will not only make cardio more enjoyable, but it’ll also help you see better results.
Set small goals: If the thought of completing a long cardio workout is enough to make you break into a sweat, start small and set some manageable goals.
Try doing 10 minutes of cardio three times a week and gradually increase the time as you get more comfortable.
Working out with a friend: Having someone to exercise with can make the time fly by and make cardio a lot more enjoyable. Not to mention, it’s always more fun to suffer through a tough workout with a friend by your side.
Cardio is an important part of any workout routine, and there are plenty of ways to make it more enjoyable. Just find an activity you like and stick with it - your heart will thank you for it!
How Often Should You Do Cardiovascular Exercise?
Studies how shown that people who do moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise for 150 minutes per week (or about 30 minutes per day, five days per week) have the lowest risk for heart disease.
However, even small amounts of cardiovascular exercise can provide some benefit - every little bit counts!
If you’re just starting out, try to do at least 20-30 minutes of cardio three to four times per week.
As you get more comfortable, you can increase the duration and frequency of your workouts.
The important thing is to find an exercise routine that works for you and stick with it - you’ll be surprised at how quickly you start to see results
Why You Shouldn't Do Cardio Everyday
While cardio is an important part of any workout routine, it’s important not to overdo it.
Doing too much cardio can actually have negative effects on your body, including:
- increasing your risk of injury
- decreasing your motivation to work out
- making you more likely to burnout
If you find yourself doing hours of cardio every day and you’re not seeing the results you want, it’s time to re-evaluate your workout routine.
Cardio is an important part of a well-rounded exercise routine, but it’s important to remember that too much of anything can be a bad thing.
Revising your workout routine to include more strength training and less cardio will help you see the results you’re looking for.
What is LISS Cardio?
LISS, or low-intensity steady state, is a type of cardio that can be done for long periods of time without tiring you out.
LISS cardio is perfect for beginners who are just starting to get into shape, or for people who want to add some easy cardio to their workout routine.
Some examples of LISS cardio include:
- walking
- jogging
- elliptical trainer
- swimming
While LISS cardio doesn’t have the same heart-pumping, calorie-burning benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it is a great way to increase your endurance and get your heart rate up without tiring yourself out.
One of the best things about LISS cardio is that it can be done almost anywhere, at any time.
All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes and some open space, and you’re good to go.
If you’re looking for an easy way to add some extra cardio to your workout routine, give LISS a try.
How long should you do LISS cardio?
There is no “right” answer to this question, as it depends on your fitness level and goals.
If you’re just starting out, try doing 20-30 minutes of LISS cardio three times per week.
As you get more comfortable, you can increase the duration and frequency of your workouts.
The important thing is to find an exercise routine that works for you and stick with it - you’ll be surprised at how quickly you start to see results.
FAQs
Is cardio important for muscle gain?
While cardio is not necessary for muscle gain, it can be helpful if you are trying to lose fat.
Cardio can help you burn calories and shed fat, which will help you build muscle more effectively.
Why is cardio important for the heart?
Cardio is important for the heart because it helps to keep the heart muscle strong.
Doing regular cardio exercise can help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Why is cardio important before a workout?
Cardio is important before a workout because it helps to warm up the muscles and prepare them for exercise.
Doing a few minutes of cardio before you start your workout can help you avoid injury and get the most out of your workout.
Wrapping Up:
Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to have incredible benefits for overall health and well-being.
It is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and it’s never too late to start incorporating cardio into your routine.
So what are you waiting for?
Get moving!
What type of cardio do you enjoy the most?
