Cardio (or aerobic) exercise is any activity that increases your heart rate and gets your lungs working harder. The American Heart Association recommends adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity cardio workouts, five days a week or 25 minutes of high intensity, three days a week. They also recommend you try to fit in two strength training workouts for a strong heart and body.
How to combine these necessary activities is up to you. Rapper and fitness die-hard, L.L. Cool J, knows the right answer: “If you do cardio exercises one day and the next day you can do weights, do it that way. If you need to do it at night or in the morning, do it that way. Whatever you need to get it done, just get it done.”If you need a few hints or prompts on getting started, read on.
1. Where to Begin
Unless you’re already in good shape, ease into your cardio workouts. Walk two miles and increase the distance every week or get comfortable jogging a few miles before you try a marathon. Build up your strength over the long haul.
Read Related: How Dare You! The Perils of the Cardio Slog and Benefits of Circuit Training
