If you want to build muscle mass, lose weight or burn calories you’ll need a healthy dose of cardiovascular exercise regularly. Constantine Torkopoulos from Club Markham explains why cardiovascular exercise is so beneficial for both your physical health and mental wellbeing.
Firstly, cardiovascular exercise is great for your heart, Torkopoulos says. These exercises reduce your risk or heart disease, heart attack or stroke and may even help prevent other diseases, like cancer.
Secondly, cardiovascular exercise also helps our lungs, too. Torkopoulos explains that our lungs can process more oxygen when respiratory health is optimal.
Thirdly, cardiovascular exercise also improves bone density, which is good news for people with osteoporosis.
Finally, cardiovascular exercise is vital for losing weight and toning and tightening your body. You actually burn more calories when your cardiovascular system is engaged before or during your workout routine. Torkopoulos recommends warming up your muscles with some cardiovascular exercise. Spend 10-15 minutes on the elliptical, stationary bike or tread mill before moving onto to weights or other machines.
Don’t have a gym membership, but still want to improve your cardiovascular health? No problem. Torkopoulos says most sports and other activities like running, hiking or swimming also build cardiovascular strength.
Also, cardiovascular exercises can be fun social events, too. You can jog with a group, play sports on a team or hike with a buddy or two. Social activities can help fight loneliness, depression or even anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise also supports your mental health, too. In addition to the social benefits, Torkopoulos says that high intensity cardiovascular workouts beat stress and release endorphins into our bloodstream. Endorphins are mood-boosting hormones that affect how we think, feel and even relate to others.
For more information on the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, visit www.clubmarkham.ca.
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