Aerobic Activities for a Good Cardio Workout
Today's exercisers have many choices in how they do their cardio workouts with the variety of exercise machines, aerobic activities and exercise videos available. Aerobic activities make the heart and lungs work harder in order to meet the oxygen demands of the body. It also helps the body circulate oxygen through the bloodstream. Many activities will give you a good cardio workout at home.
Cardio Workouts without Exercise Equipment
Walking is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to get a good aerobic workout. Although it is not done at home, your walk can start and end at your home. Other types of activities that are based from home are bicycling, running, rollerblading and jogging. Aerobic activities that you can do at home include:
- Dancing
- Aerobic dance - jazzercise
- Aerobic Striptease
- Belly dancing
- Stair climbing
- Swimming and aquatic exercise if you have a pool
- Jumping rope
- Kickboxing
- TaeBo
- Pilates cardio
Exercise Machines and Tools that Provide Cardio Workouts
Many types of exercise machines provide the body with a good cardio workout and can be easily used at home.
- Elliptical machines - also known as cross trainers, steppers or stair steppers
- Treadmills
- Stationary Bikes
- Stair steppers
- Rowing machines
- Indoor cycling workouts
- Theracycle
- Rebounders and mini trampolines
- BOSU ball
- Resistance cables, cords and bands
- Step platform
Videos and DVDs for Good Cardio Workouts at Home
Exercise videos and DVDs are great resources to use at home. They not only offer instruction in various methods and techniques, they also make your exercise sessions fun. From belly dancing to Pilates cardio routines to salsa dance cardio workouts, there are aerobic videos for all exercise tastes and styles. The following is only a small sampling of the videos and DVDs available online for you to use at home for a great cardio workout.
The Importance of Cardio Workouts
A good cardio workout is very important for overall health and fitness. The overall health benefits of a good cardio workout include:
- Strengthen the heart muscle
- Strengthen the lungs
- Maximizes the amount of oxygen your body takes in and improves circulation
- Increases the number and diameter of small blood vessels
- Weight loss
- Reduces body fat
- Reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves blood fats
- Reduce the risk of some types of cancer
- Reduces the risk of type II diabetes
- Activates the body's immune system
- Increases endurance and stamina
- Increase bone density
- Improves flexibility
- Increase energy level
- Increase confidence, self-image and self-esteem
- Releases the body's endorphins
- Reduce stress
- Relieve tension
- Relieve depression temporarily
- Relieve anxiety temporarily
- Provide better sleep
- Improves muscle tone
- Improves balance
0 Comments