Your Guide to All Things Cardio

By
Ariel H
-
Photo by Nathan Cowley from Pexels

Treadmill, elliptical, rowing, and stair machines all come to mind when cardio is mentioned. Cardio workouts increase your heart rate, make you more fit, and help increase your strength and endurance. So what types of cardio are there and how much should you be doing?

Types of Cardio

Low-Intensity Steady State

This type of cardio can usually be done walking at an incline on the treadmill, jogging, circuit training, cycling, or using an elliptical. They’re usually longer in duration and range from 30 to 90 minutes. If you have weak joints or are recovering from injuries, this is the best type of cardio to do.

Moderate-Intensity Cardio

Moderate-intensity cardio can be done at a steady pace or done at a high-speed with intervals of rest. It’s usually performed between 20 to 60 minutes because it’s more tiring and intense than low-intensity steady-state cardio and you’ll be burning more calories.

High-Intensity Interval Training

High-intensity training is done at a steady pace and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is intense bursts of activity with periods of rest. Because it’s tiring and intense, it’s done between 10 to 30 minutes. It’s usually not done in high volumes of before strength training because it’s intense.

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How to Maximize Cardio Workouts

To track your heart rate, get a fitness tracker or chest strap heart rate monitor. Also, separate cardio and strength training and perform them on different days to maximize the effects of both.

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WHICH FITNESS WATCH IS BEST? • If you’re a story watcher (which I hope you are!) you’ll know that for the past month or so, I’ve been testing out 3 of the best selling fitness watches. The @polaruk_ire Ignite, @suunto 5 and the @fitbituk_ireland Versa 2. • I’m often asked which watch I wear, use and which I think is best – well, I can assure you the FULL write up is coming soon and it’s been a super interesting review to put together. • Finding the best watching and one that caters for your fitness needs, is like trying to find the right pair of running shoes – it’s an extremely personal thing. Especially seeing as there is a watch for almost every discipline! • And before I publish the review, there are a few things I wanted to share with you that I’d recommend considering before making your all important decision. • 1. Does it need to be a ‘running’ watch? 2. Do you want GPS? 3. Do you want it to track your heart rate? 4. Sleep? 5. Battery life – is this important to use? 6. Charging speed? 7. Easy to use? 8. And lastly, do you want it to have a good/ user friendly partner app? • The watch in this picture is the @polaruk_ire and I’ve been really lucky to work with @gym.marine in Bath to test out all the features. I’ve also created a highlight on my stories where you can find all the tests which are live NOW! • Last but not least, I’ve very kindly been given a discount code to share with you all 💘 When heading to the @gym.marine website, be sure to quote ‘AMY5’ for discount – last orders this weekend before Christmas! ✨ #fitnesswatch

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