Cardio Respiratory Fitness: A Recipe for Success

A perfect recipe is one in which all unique ingredients are mixed carefully to create a savory dish and keep your taste buds screaming for more. In fitness, the perfect recipe for cardio training requires a combination of elements to create a change that will keep your heart pounding.

Looking into the cookbook of cardio fitness, you will see aerobic and anaerobic activities. Aerobic exercise is training done while able to breathe comfortably with our heart rate at 60-70 percent of our maximum predicted heart rate.

Think of aerobic activity as being long in duration and low in intensity. Some aerobic activities include: walking, biking, jogging, swimming and aerobic classes.

Anaerobic activity is short in duration and high in intensity. Simply put, it will take your breath away. Anaerobic activities will have your heart rate at 80 percent or more of our maximum predicted heart rate. Some of these activities include racquetball, weightlifting, sprinting and football.

Combining aerobic and anaerobic activities such as these for a period of 15 to 20 minutes or longer, three to five days per week, while maintaining 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate, makes for a great recipe in cardio wellness.

What are some of the benefits of this “recipe” for cardio success? Here’s the rundown:

-condition of the heart and lungs
-train your body to use oxygen more efficiently
-Control of body fat
-Increase resistance to fatigue and extra energy
-decrease stress and aid in sleeping
-physiological benefits
-exercise improves mood reduces depression and anxiety

Share your perfect cardio recipe with a friend or make it your goal to find a new flavor in your cardio fitness journey today!