Benefits of Cardio Training: Why Is Aerobic Exercise Important?

Cardio. Love it or hate it, you know it’s an essential part of any exercise regime. Whether you are looking to lose weight, get fit, or be healthier, cardio can help you smash your goals.

What is cardio training?

Cardio, or cardiovascular exercise, simply means any rhythmic exercise that raises your heart rate and gets you moving, therefore, allowing you to burn maximum calories. Some popular cardio exercises include: 

• Running 
• Swimming 
• Cycling 
• Brisk walking
  
  

So no, contrary to popular belief, cardio is not restricted to marathon running. There are many cardiovascular exercises that all have unique benefits.

Read on to discover the benefits of cardio for your health and fitness:


5 benefits of cardio training

1) Flexible workouts

Cardio does not only involve hitting the treadmill after work for a 30-minute stint – though you can do, if you wish. It takes many forms, which gives you complete flexibility to adapt your workout around your lifestyle.

Let’s say you love to run but don’t fancy being cooped up in the gym, then why not run outdoors? For those who are a slave to the treadmill, especially during the colder months, this can be a revelation. There are clear benefits to running outdoors, from stronger glutes to a happier heart. 

What are the benefits of cardio for non-runners?

You don’t need to run to feel the benefits of cardio training. Of course, you can take up swimming, hop on your bike, or walk the dog, if you’re starting slow. These exercises are all proven to get your heart racing.

2) Improved heart health

The main benefit of cardio exercise is heart health. Your heart is a muscle and, like any muscle, it needs to be worked in order to become strong. If you fail to work it, it will become weak over time, and this can result in many health implications.

Getting your heart pumping on a regular basis will help keep it in shape and healthy. Too many people get breathless after walking up a flight of stairs. This is because they have not persisted with cardio exercise.

3) Boost your mood

Is it possible to outrun feelings of depression? Many studies have shown a positive link between depression and physical fitness. It makes sense, when you think about it. When you exercise, it releases endorphins that are proven to improve your sense of wellbeing and mood. Cardio also helps enhance the quality of sleep, which can play a role in depression, and cardio can also help release neurotransmitters, like glutamate and serotonin, which may be low for those with depression.

For those looking to lose weight, cardio can be hugely motivating, especially once the results start to show. As the saying goes, “the only workouts we regret are the ones we don’t do” – what better motivation to get moving?

4) Reduces chronic pain

Living with chronic pain is a battle. Tasks that were once effortless become impossible. As a result, chronic pain sufferers often disregard exercise because they consider it a pain trigger. While some exercises can worsen chronic pain (do your research), others will decrease inflammation and overall discomfort.

Cardiovascular exercise can help increase strength, endurance, and heart health. Take it slow at first with a brisk walk in your local park, and build up to running, as you don’t want to overwork those areas of inflammation.

5) Boosts metabolism

The final benefit of cardio for weight loss is increased metabolism. You may have heard that exercise and dieting are roadblocks when it comes to losing weight. Well, cardio may hold the answer to losing weight and keeping it off.

Whether you’re running, walking, swimming, or biking, cardio will help boost your metabolism. Cardio will increase the production of the FGF21 (fibro growth factor 21) hormone, which has a positive effect on your metabolism. When the metabolic rate increases due to exercise, more calories are burned, and your appetite is suppressed for some time.

Benefits of Cardio

So, now that you understand the benefits of cardio, go out and start putting this into practice for yourself. Adapt your workout to include cardio exercise, and you’ll soon experience positive results.

Use our BMI calculator to identify if cardio is helping you lose weight:

If you’re looking for more reasons to take up cardio exercise, check out our list of cardio posts. We cover everything cardio-related, from low impact cardio to fasted exercise.