Why you need cardio and when it is best to do it

What is Cardio?
Cardio workouts come in many forms and are not tied only to a workout on a treadmill or elliptical machine. If you take a brisk afternoon walk, that’s cardio. If you move into a new apartment and carry boxes, that’s cardio. A good test to know if you’re taking part in cardio is to ask yourself these questions: Is my heart rate higher than normal? Am I breathing harder than usual? If the answers are yes, then it’s cardio.

Why is Cardio Important?
Cardio has always been important, but in today’s world it’s even more essential that we make it a priority. Most of us sit in cars on the way to work to spend our entire day sitting in a desk with minimal physical activity. Our muscles grow weak and our bodies lose endurance and strength.

Cardio is not only important for our bodies. Regular cardio exercises help our brains as well. Cardio benefits include:

• A stronger cardiovascular system
• Stronger bones
• Less chance of developing certain kinds of cancer
• Less chance of heart disease
• An overall more content mental disposition
• Weight loss
• Easier diabetes management

When is the Best Time To Do Cardio?
There's always been debate over the best time to do cardio. Different theories have led to different conclusions, and some of the accepted beliefs about when to do cardio have changed. For instance, people were told for years that cardio should be done first thing in the morning. They were also encouraged to do an entire cardio routine on an empty stomach. The logic was that no food on the stomach meant that the body would immediately start burning stored fat. New information shows this is likely not what happens. Instead the body feeds on muscles, not fat.

The new belief is that cardio after weightlifting is a better choice. Though weightlifting is intense and can leave your body tired, you will have more glycogen, which is a glucose used for energy, left over if you do weightlifting first. That means you’ll have a more effective cardio workout.

When Should I Not Do Cardio?
As previously discussed, doing cardio on an empty stomach or first thing in the morning is not wise. Your muscles stand the chance of suffering, and without proper sustenance it will be hard to find the energy for an effective cardio workout.

It’s also not a great idea to do cardio before weights. Cardio will deplete you glycogen storage faster than weightlifting, so you won’t have the energy to make it through intense weightlifting or several reps if you’re depleted from cardio. In short, you won’t build nearly as much muscle.

What Kind of Cardio Exercises are Best for Burning Calories?
Spring Intervals: This requires you to sprint as hard as you can for a short period of time. You then return to jogging until it’s time for your next sprint.

Tabata Workouts: Like sprinting intervals, tabata workouts require hard core effort for a short period of time before a quick recovery. Tabatas usually follow the pattern of 20 seconds of intense workout followed by ten seconds of recovery. This routine is repeated eight times.

Swimming: While you’re in the water, swimming may not feel like it’s doing much. However, it’s one of the best cardio exercises out there. Not only do you move your arms and your legs, but your core muscles get a workout, and there’s no doubt that swimming will increase your heart rate.

Why Have a Personal Trainer in Las Vegas?
Whatever fitness routine you decide to follow, working out with a las vegas personal trainer will help you maximize your results. Trainers know how to use both cardio and weightlifting to help you build muscle while increasing endurance. A las vegas personal trainer has the expertise to make sure none of your workout time is wasted.