Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions remain my own. You can learn more about our editorial policies here.
A common misconception is that the only way to get a strong body is through heavy weights. This isn’t true! Cardio training is just as important, but it isn’t enough.
Add intense cardio, heavy weights and tons of abs exercises that will work all the major muscle groups for a tighter body. Adding intensity during your workouts is one way you could spice up this boring activity without stopping or giving up altogether on it entirely!
Read on to find the health benefits of cardio training for a strong body.
Heart Health
Studies have shown that some cardiovascular activities, like running and walking, can help lower LDL cholesterol. Lowering your overall cholesterol can greatly improve your chances of surviving heart disease for years to come.
Although cardio training isn’t a substitute for a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it’s still beneficial for your heart.
Too much cholesterol can clog up the blood vessels, making you prone to heart disease. However, you can lower your LDL cholesterol by doing cardio exercise. The good news is that you also get to shed unwanted pounds while doing it!
Better Sleep Quality
By doing cardio exercise, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and also have a better sleep quality. You’ll have more energy and vitality throughout the day and fall asleep easier at night. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a better night’s rest!
Should I combine cardio training with weights training?
You don’t have to stick solely with cardio exercise while shedding excess pounds. Mixing cardio and weights training can provide benefits like adding muscle mass — which will give you more strength — and improve bone health.
Muscle Building
Cardio can help you build muscle, although only to a certain extent. Running is one of the easiest forms of cardio exercise, but it’s one that can help you build up to three times your body weight in muscle. That’s great, because it means you’ll be building muscle without having to spend months trying to burn as much fat as possible. The bench-press press and other compound lifts will still help you for bodybuilding.
Incorporate cardio in your workout with our 3 Day A Week Full-body Workout Routine
Fat Burning
One of the best benefits of cardio is that it burns a lot of calories. Losing weight is more than just eating a healthy diet and doing regular intervals on an exercise bike. Cardio trains your body to burn more fat after you’re done working out too. You can then use this fat for energy without feeling tired or worn out throughout the day.
Mental Health
You probably wouldn’t expect cardio to have an effect on your mental health, but it helps reduce stress and anxiety. Not only is cardio exercise great for the heart, but it can help relieve stress. Running itself gives you a natural high that releases endorphins into your brain. The more you do it, the better you’ll feel!
Immune System Strength
It’s a common misconception that cardio can be harmful to your immune system. But it doesn’t do this. For the most part, in fact, your immune system gets stronger as you exercise. When you’re out of shape and lacking in energy and stamina, your body has a harder time fighting off viruses, bacteria and other germs.
Are you doing the best warmup, see 5 Simple Ways to Stretch Your Body, Mind and Soul
But it’s not just about the physical aspect of training; cardio also promotes mental health. It helps you deal with stress, gives you that energy boost and keeps you more positive and enthusiastic.
Eye Health
When it comes to cardio exercise, you’re looking at a big area of benefits. Cardio is good for a number of reasons, but one stands out above the rest: it can help your eyesight.
It’s true, hard workouts like cardio can make your vision blurry. But you don’t have to worry about this as much if you exercise outdoors and within safe distance from traffic. You also have to balance your running with some cardiovascular exercises like push-ups, sit-ups and cycling. By doing all of these, you get a great cardio workout along with your eye health benefits.
Boosts Energy and Keeps You Going
There’s no way exercising for hours on end will help with your appetite. However, by doing cardio you can greatly boost your energy levels and keep you feeling bright and full of life. But there’s another benefit: you’ll still be hungry, but less so than before!
Want strong, toned arms, see our Ultimate Arm Workouts for Women
Energy helps you deal with stress, clear your mind and gives you the much-needed boost of motivation. Without it, it would be harder to keep going or not give up entirely!
Conclusion
So to sum things up… Cardio training is important for overall health. It’s great for your heart, your muscles and your energy levels. Not to mention that you look great when you know what you’re doing with cardio!
