People often ask me, “what type of cardio should I do? Is it better to do shorter, more intense bouts of cardio or longer, less intense sessions?”
My answer: “both”. Both types of cardio are beneficial to your health.
Cardio that is performed with intervals, or varying intensities, can effectively burn fat in a short period of time. It’s best for those who are strapped for time and want a quick, intense workout. You can notice the results from your efforts in as little as four weeks, performing this type of cardio two to three days a week for 20-30 minutes each session!
Walking, hiking and riding your bike for a long period of time, 30 minutes or more, is essential when looking to gain maximum, intangible health benefits. This type of cardio has been shown to possibly reduce blood pressure, decrease LDL cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and decrease mood swings and hormonal symptoms commonly associated with PMS and menopause! You can gain the benefits of steady-state cardio by doing it at least twice a week for 30 minutes or more.
Both types of cardio are important to incorporate in your workout regime. Next time I will list specific ways to perform both types of cardio and how to get started if you are a beginner!
Credits:
Women running on the beach: flickr/mikebaird
Woman kayaking: flickr/Let Ideas Compete
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