Why Cardiovascular activity is so important!
Cardiovascular exercise is sometimes called aerobic exercise, some people even call it ‘cardio’ for short. Cardiovascular exercise has lots of health benefits like lowering your blood pressure, increases circulation, gives a sense of wellbeing, increases stamina and lung capacity, as well as burn lots of calories – for those of you who want to lose weight.
Jogging, swimming and Fitness League classes are examples of cardio exercise. It should be rhythmic, continuous and using large muscle groups under low to moderate tension over an extended period of time.
The benefits are well documented, however it is good to be reminded of them:
1. Strengthening the muscles involved in respiration, to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs
2. Strengthening and enlarging the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency and reduce the resting heart rate, known as aerobic conditioning
3. Improving circulation efficiency and reducing blood pressure
4. Increasing the total number of red blood cells in the body, facilitating transport of oxygen
5. Improved mental health, including reducing stress and lowering the incidence of depression
6. Reducing the risk for diabetes
All ages and abilities can participate to improve fitness levels and aerobic exercise can provide benefits for most people. Whether it is fast walking, dancing, running or simply doing housework, as long as it raises the heart rate, the important thing is to do something.
It should be 50 – 69% of the maximum Heart Rate (220 minus your age is the guideline formula), for 30 minutes, 5 times a week.
The Fitness League use The Bagot Stack System of exercise, which also focuses on core control and posture. For a class near you, type in Fitness League and postcode on the Class Finder website.
http://www.classfinder.org.uk/
