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Cardio Fundamentals: How Aerobic Exercise Affects the Body

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Cardio exercises are known for their effectiveness in weight loss. Different cardio exercises provide different results. This makes it important to choose a workout plan that will help you achieve your goals. For instance, if you are looking for a workout plan to get into shape, you must choose a workout that focuses on losing weight. Similarly, a professional athlete would require cardio training for increasing VO2 max. VO2 max is the maximum capacity of a person's body to carry and use oxygen through incremental exercise. This ability reflects a person's physical fitness.

Aerobics: The Most Popular Cardio Exercise

Aerobics is one of the most popular types of cardio exercises. Aerobics is any kind of extended activity which makes individuals breathe hard as they use large muscle groups at an even and regular pace. This form of exercise tends to be more effective compared to bodybuilding or yoga. Aerobic activities are known to make the heart stronger and more efficient. In the initial stages of cardio exercises, the body uses circulating fatty acids and stored carbohydrates for generating energy. Aerobic exercises help to use oxygen efficiently by attaining and maintaining the Target Heart Range (the safest range for heart beats during exercise per minute).

Aerobic exercises can be performed at all ages. However, the duration and intensity of aerobic activities largely depends on your age and stamina. Aerobic exercises offer many health benefits besides ensuring physical fitness.

Chronic and Vascular Ailments

Regular aerobics helps to decrease the risk of chronic ailments like high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, certain kinds of cancer and type 2 diabetes. It also strengthens the heart and allows it to pump blood better and circulate to all the parts of the body.

Weight Control

Aerobics is great for weight control. Regular physical activities and good eating habits are very effective for losing and controlling weight. Aerobics helps in burning calories, and as the body starts to use sugars and fats efficiently, there is better weight control.

Reduces Stress and Age Symptoms

Aerobics can also benefit you by reducing stress, depression, anxiety and tension. It can also make people more confident and increase their self-esteem. Aerobics helps to reduce symptoms of illness and aging by keeping the muscles, bones and ligaments strong. Regular aerobic activities can make you feel full of energy and more youthful.

Aerobics exercises boost the immune system. This makes you less prone to minor viral infections like flu and cold. Some studies even suggest that aerobics are ideal for those who want to kick addictions like smoking and alcohol by reducing the cravings. Although aerobic exercises will make you feel exhausted and tired when you start off, you would be able to increase your stamina gradually. If you do not like working out alone, you can join an aerobics class and exercise in a group.

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