Cardio: Expert Guides and Resources

Like walking, running provides a fitness workout that you can take with you anywhere. You can work up a great sweat, burn lots of calories, and your muscles feel invigorated after you finish. You don’t need a rack on your car or a suitcase full of equipment; you just open the door and go.No single type of exercise is better than all the rest.

CrossFit super-enthusiasts who want to take it to the next level can become a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CCFT) or Certified CrossFit Coach (CCFC). Earning certification shows that you have the skills to work knowledgeably and effectively with individuals and groups at all levels of experience. And in a broader sense, certification ensures integrity and consistency among CrossFit certificants and affiliates.

After a cardio workout (aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, or stair climbing), you should always remember to cool down before resting. Don’t stop suddenly and make a dash for the shower or plop on the couch.Ease out of your workout just as you eased into it during a warm-up — by walking, jogging, or cycling lightly.

If your goal is permanent fat loss, you need to burn enough calories to make a significant impact. Here's why: In order to lose a pound in one week, you need to create a 3,500-calorie deficit; in other words, you need to burn off 3,500 more calories than you eat. A 30-minute power walk on flat ground burns about 120 calories.

Sprint training is an exercise regimen that burns fat, builds muscle, and boosts BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). Because studies have shown that short bursts of running are more efficient than long walks or jogs, sprint training is becoming the recommended method of choice for cardiovascular exercise. Image credit: BONNINSTUDIO/ShutterstockWith sprint training, there are two basic ways to achieve ideal results: Flat sprints Incline sprints You will only want to perform sprint training exercises a couple times a week.

The basic crunch is the consummate abdominal exercise in a strength-training program. Pay special attention to your form when you do crunches, especially if you have lower-back or neck problems. Performing the basic crunch Follow these steps to perform crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.

You’ve probably heard of CrossFit and wondered what it is and how you can start doing CrossFit workouts. CrossFit is an intense, cross-training exercise program that combines different kinds of exercises into varied fitness routines called Workouts of the Day (WODs). CrossFit athletes rarely do the same routines in the same week.

Your heart rate, also known as your pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Before starting a fitness regime, your health assessment should include a measure of your resting heart rate — your heart rate when you’re sitting still. Ideally, your resting heart rate should be between 60 and 90 beats per minute.

Swimming is truly a zero-impact sport. You can get a great aerobic workout that uses your whole body. Although you can strain your shoulders if you overdo it, there’s absolutely no pounding on your joints, and the only thing you’re in danger of crashing into is the wall of the pool. Plus, water has a gentle, soothing effect on the body, so swimming is helpful for those with arthritis or other joint diseases.