Cardio exercises: what are the activities, benefits, and contraindications?

It improves cardiac efficiency, breathing, and respiration. It also helps you lose weight and stay fit. Not recommended for those with a sedentary lifestyle.

cardio fitness
La cardio gymnastics, or cardiovascular exercise, is a type of physical activity, with various types of exercises, that stimulates the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs), improves endurance, respiration, metabolism, and overall health. It is often used not only to maintain a healthy heart, but also to lose weight, improve your breathing, and increase your physical energy. 
 

Activities and tools

Cardio exercises engage the entire body, increase heart rate, and are considered aerobic workouts, with moderate to low intensity. They can be done with bodyweight exercises or with specific equipment.

Among the activities that fall under cardio gymnastics are:

The most commonly used specific equipment for cardio training is:

  • Conveyor belt
  • Exercise bikes
  • Stepper
  • Spin bike
  • Rowing machine
  • Elliptical

Benefits

The main benefits of cardio exercise are:

  • It's good for the cardiovascular system
  • Improves breathing and breathing
  • Improves kidney function
  • Improves bone health and joints
  • Improves intestinal function
  • It reduces anxiety and improves mood because it stimulates the production of endorphins
  • It can help you lose weight

Clothing

When doing cardio and wearing sneakers, they should be comfortable and breathable. T-shirts and shorts should also have these characteristics, and it's best to opt for tight-fitting styles. Tops, t-shirts, and leggings are also very suitable, as long as they're of good quality.

Controindicazioni

Cardio exercises do not have any particular contraindications, but in some circumstances it must be done with particular caution.

  • If you suffer from diabetes: it is necessary, in any case, to monitor blood glucose levels before and after the activity
  • Severe obesity: It can be stressful for the joints. In this case, it's best to stick to a healthy, simple walk.
  • Chronically sedentary: there is a risk overload if the activity is not progressive, and in any case it is necessary to start with short, low intensity sessions.
  • If you have joint or spinal problems: some movements can aggravate the condition.

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