Cardio

As a personal trainer, I get asked all sorts of questions regarding health and fitness. Some are very specific, and some are a little more vague. I would like to take this time to answer one of the more popular questions I get from clients and non-clients alike.

What type of cardio is best for me?

If you take the time to thumb through a few health magazines, you will be able to find articles giving you data to back up how essential running is for your well being. You will also be able to find articles on how essential aerobics is, articles on how important your swimming is, how cardio kickboxing is the only workout you need, and so on. So which article is correct? The answer is all of them!

Cardio training can be defined as any exercise that can be sustained for a long period of time with little or no interruption. Cardio training works the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. As with anything, the more you ‘practice’ cardio training, the better, and more efficient your body becomes at it.

The key to leading a healthy lifestyle is variety. There is no miracle exercise that will make you that much healthier. Try as many different activities as possible. Find out the ones you like, and stick with them! Always be willing to try new (even potentially difficult) activities. Remember, it doesn’t have to be in a workout or in the depths of your basement to count as exercise. You may not be able to wake up without your morning jog. Your neighbor may hate running, but loves to play tennis. Your friend may feel lost without her daily aerobics. Who is better off? You all are!

Ideally, one should dedicate time to cardio training 3-4 times per week The length of the activity can vary from as little as twenty minutes, to an hour, or even longer. The key to getting the most out of your cardio session is the intensity of the workout. This intensity will vary from person to person.

Remember, there are 3 basic tenets of fitness: cardio conditioning, strength conditioning, and a healthy diet. All of these components work hand in hand towards maximum health levels; skip one and the other two will suffer. Excessive cardio will not make you healthier if you skip out on your weight training sessions, and vice versa. And overdoing both of these won’t matter if you don’t eat a balanced diet.

September 1, 2008 | Filed Under Health Tips | Leave a Comment 

  • Tip of the Month

    January 2012

    Smart Starbucks and Steakhouse Choices

    Starbucks Choices
    • Peppermint Choc Mocha- 520cals, 20g fat
    • Pumpkin Frappuccino- 420cals, 13g fat
    • Flavored Latte- 360clas, 16g fat
    • Latte- 220cals, 15g fat
    • Coffee w/cream and sugar 180 calories
    • Cappuccino- 120cals, 4g fat
    • Coffee w/sugar 90 calories
    • Coffee w/cream 90 calories
    • Coffee w/whole milk 60 calories
    • Coffee w/skim milk 30-50 calories

    Order a coffee with cream and sugar every work day?  Add 900 calories per week to your diet.  That is over 13 pounds in one year.

    Enjoy a cappuccino every day instead, and you save 300 calories per week, and cut 4 pounds per year from the above diet.

    Go to coffee with skim milk and Splenda?  Now you are only adding 250 calories per week, and under 4 pounds per year in coffee weight.

    Enjoy a flavored frappucino or latte once per week?  That could add up to 26,000 calories, and another 7.5 pounds per year.

    Just your coffee could account for 20 pounds of caloric intake annually!

    Steakhouse Choices
    • Caesars Salad- 800cals
    • Chopped Salad, 320cals
    • Spinach Salad, 170cals click here for more »

    click here to read past tips

  • Recipe of the Month

    January 2012

    Drink alcohol a little more wisely!

    Drink Choices
    • Eggnog, 350cals
    • White Russian, 260cals
    • Riesling, 160-200cals
    • Shot of liquor, 70-125cals
    • Tonic or Soda, 100cals
    • Winter Beer, 150-200cals
    • Beer, 150cals
    • Bloody Mary, 130cals
    • Wine, 120cals
    • Light Beer, 55-85cals
    • Champagne, 85cals
    Enjoy a small glass of eggnog and two gin and tonics, and you have drank 750 worthless calories.
    Or, start with some champagne, and enjoy two glasses of wine and you only have drank 330 calories, less than half of your first choices.