Benefits of Cardio Exercise More Than Heart Deep

Nothing Beats A Good Run I am sitting outside Starbucks in Cardiff with my dog, Alabama, trying to write this article on the importance of aerobic activity and monitoring your heart. As I sit here, bike riders in their colorful outfits and clickety-clack shoes sit around me, two guys in high-top shoes with a basketball sit beside me, and runners.., well, they are running.

I am drawing a blank. I am distracted by all the commotion around me so I decide to take a walk along the beach to clear my mind; the ideas start flowing. A walk turns into a light jog, which turns into a run, Alabama in tow.

I hear the crunch of gravel beneath my feet, the crash of the ocean to my right, Alabama padding alongside. My body temperature starts to rise. My mind starts to clear with each passing step.

All of a sudden, it hits me! There is something special about this thing they call cardio. And it goes way beyond burning calories. It's much deeper than that. It brings a level of peace and clarity.

Of course, if you want to fit in those jeans, that dress, that skimpy bathing suit, you need to burn more calories than you are bringing in—everyone knows that. But there are even better reasons to get your heartrate thumping.

Now my heart is thumping... Doing cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack—heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in men and women—that’s reason to start running now.

Oh boy! now my arms pumping... This cardio exercise will make your heart grow bigger and stronger. Blood will pump through your body more efficiently, bringing oxygen and nutrients to your body.

Here we go, my feet bounding... Some studies have shown that cardiovascular activities alleviate depression. I’m feeling lighter already!

My legs are pounding... It increases bone mass, fighting off osteoporosis and arthritis.

And did you know that monitoring your heart is a great way to assess the intensity of your workouts? It helps you make sure that you are not overexerting yourself. It also ensures that you are working hard enough.

By monitoring your heart rate, you'll discover that you will be able to exercise at a higher level of intensity but at the same or lower heart rate. This is the way the heart tells you it is becoming stronger and more efficient. When you see positive results, it will motivate you to strive for even better results.

I’m in my groove now, a healthy stride… (it’s different for everyone depending on age and exercise level). Your target heart rate zone should be 50-85% of your maximum heart rate depending on your level of fitness. Keep to the lower end if you are just starting out. The best way to calculate your zone is 220 minus your age x 50 % or 85%.

With a heart rate monitor, progress can be measured continuously, increasing your motivation to persevere. You can check your resting heart rate by counting your pulse at your carotid artery (side of your neck) for 60 seconds.

Things are getting salty, wet (and I’m not talking about the ocean)... Cardio lowers body fat and increases lean muscle mass. And all this sweating brings purity to the soul. This is a virtual cleansing of the mind—thoughts flow and energy is revitalized—an extra bonus.

You can’t beat this cardio thing. It's a healthy relationship with your heart. It's camaraderie with those who know the importance of developing and maintaining a healthy body. It's meditative, transforming, and inspiring. For me, it clears my head and lets the creative juices flow. And for Alabama, well, her tail was wagging the whole time.

Editor's note: We're happy to report that Scott Baker practices what he preaches... now, if he can only keep up with Alabama!

Scott Baker
		About the author:
		Scott Baker is the founder of Gemini Fit Personal Training. He has been a personal trainer for 9 years and his style is to take something common and unimaginitive and make it unique. His philosophy is when your body and mind are connected and supporting of each other, nothing is impossible. To find out more, check out Gemini Fit.
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