The Bakersfield Voice
Physical Fitness: Get your engine running!
Physical Fitness: Get your engine running!
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Posted by admin Mon Aug 25, 2008 09:46:43 PDT
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In the last article we talked about flexibility being one of the five components of physical fitness. This article is dedicated to the cardiovascular system, also known as cardio respiratory fitness. The cardio respiratory system includes the heart, lungs and circulatory system, which are most often forgotten and neglected.
If ever there was a focus for our fitness goals, the cardio respiratory system should come first and foremost. Imagine neglecting to maintain your car’s engine and then expecting it to run efficiently. That is exactly what you are doing if you do not train your cardio respiratory system with one of various cardiovascular exercises.
One of the leading killers in America today is heart disease. We can drastically reduce this risk by performing some daily exercise to elevate our heart rates for a specific amount of time. Performing cardio exercise strengthens the heart muscle and improves blood flow efficiently through our circulatory system. Efficiency in our circulatory system improves how we move nutrients throughout our bodies and also improves how we remove the byproducts. Cardio exercise also strengthens our lungs which improves breathing efficiency, allowing us to take deeper breaths.
Another benefit of cardiovascular exercise is increased stamina. As a fitness professional, I hear this complaint everyday: “But I don’t have the energy to exercise!” Over time, a cardiovascular program will increase your overall stamina and actually give you energy.
Cholesterol is another problem that can be helped with cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise helps lower the “bad” (ldl) cholesterol by raising the “good” (hdl) cholesterol.
Another great benefit from cardiovascular exercise is the “toning” effect that you receive. It does help those (dare I say it?) flabby muscles that most of us become ashamed of.
I could actually go on for the next few articles about the benefits of working our cardio respiratory systems. This brings me to one of my favorite sayings again: “Use it or lose it!” That saying couldn’t apply more here. Cardiovascular exercise is not defined as only running. There are too many forms of cardiovascular exercise to list here. Keep in mind that the exercise you choose should elevate your heart and it should be sustained. The time that you sustain is a direct relation to your fitness level. Most importantly, it should be something you enjoy doing. This is most helpful during those times of low motivation.
Remember: Never begin a fitness routine or stretching routine without consulting your physician first.
See the Personal Edge Fitness Web site at: www.perfitness.com.
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