The Secrets to Building an Effective Cardio Fitness Routine

Fitness is an essential part of our lives, weather we are young, old, healthy, unhealthy, fat or skinny we all need some degree of exercise. Weather you are looking to lose weight or just be a healthier person, cardiovascular workouts are a great choice. Performing cardiovascular workouts will not only help in revving up your metabolism but will ultimately strengthen up your heart and lungs. Having your own personalized cardio workout routine can give you more energy, increase your endurance and promote more successful weight loss.

Before beginning a cardio workout routine you want to contemplate why you are doing it in the first place. Are you looking to lose or maintain your current weight? Are you training for an upcoming event? Are you trying to fit into those high school jeans? Or do you just need something productive to do with your time? What ever the reason, turn it into a goal you wish to meet by doing your cardio workouts. You can write down a list of the things that you like to do for fun that involves increasing your heart rate. The most effective cardio activity is running or aerobics because it works the whole body without even thinking about it, but elliptical machines, basketball, swimming, tae Bo, dancing and tennis are all great activities that involve heart rate increase.

Now that you have set a goal to reach and decided on which type of cardio workout activities you would enjoy , now its time to warm up. Always start your fitness regimen with a warm up to get your blood flowing and your muscles loose and relaxed. Walking for 5 to 10 minutes or a light jog are great ways to get your body warmed up. After you are finished with your warm up, stretch and then dive into your work out. Your actual cardio workout should be at the least 30 minutes and if you are experienced an hour is sufficient. After your cardio workout always allow at least a 5 minute cool down to bring your heart rate down.

A few more tips to keep in mind when building a cardio workout routine are:

Cardio is recommended at least 3-4 times a week, but daily cardio is ok to do as well if your health permits.

Always wear good sturdy tennis shoes, working out in shoes other than tennis shoes or shoes that do not give good foot support can cause injury.

Don't think that it's all or nothing, it's beneficial to get in a little workout than to not do one at all. So if you only have 15 minutes instead of 30 still go for it.

Remember that anything that gets your heart rate up is considered cardio exercise so if you work, try taking the stairs or parking further away in the parking lot than usual. On your breaks at school, do 3 sets of 25 jumping jacks or before you go to bed dance to your 3 favorite songs.

Wear loose fitting or comfortable cotton or spandex clothing to allow your blood to circulate and you to not over heat.

Never over exhaust yourself, if you feel dizzy or faint always take a break and stop.

Drink lots of water before, during and after your workout.