CARDIO: EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES
Dateline: 06/01/98
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Cardiovascular Exercises: Explore the Possibilities
There are many forms of aerobic exercise available to you that work the cardiovascular system. Check out the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Walking
Advantages - provides
excellent health benefits without the stress on the joints that comes with other forms of
cardio.
Disadvantages - even though you can increase the intensity by increasing speed or walking
uphill, etc., you have to walk twice as long as someone jogging to burn the same amount of
calories and get similar benefit.
Jogging/Running
Advantages - you can burn
calories faster than walking and get a great cardiovascular workout.
Disadvantages - they can be very stressful on your joints and cause serious orthopedic
problems for certain people.
Spinning
Advantages - provides
high-level of aerobic conditioning, burns lots of calories, very fun and exciting, adds
some variety.
Disadvantages - not available at every club, intended more for the advanced exerciser.
Aerobics Class
Advantages - many different
types and fitness level classes for young and old, beginner and advanced. Fun way to
burn lots of calories.
Disadvantages - you must conform to someone else's schedule continually, stress on joints
for more advanced classes.
Aqua Aerobics/Swimming
Advantages - works all major
muscle groups without the stress on your muscles and joints.
Disadvantages - you need a pool, lifeguard, and great shampoo, and it doesn't give you the
bone strengthening that normal weight bearing exercise gives you.
Racquet Sports
Advantages - while playing
tennis, racquetball, squash, and paddle ball, you increase your agility, hand-eye
coordination, and burn alot of calories and work your heart really good if you keep the
game going consistently.
Disadvantages - you need a partner, special equipment and place to play, and some skill or
the ability to learn.
Stair Master/Climbing
Advantages - produces high
level of aerobic fitness if done consistently without the stress of jogging/running, works
your buns and thighs quite nicely.
Disadvantages - one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment in gyms today so
requires long wait sometimes, tendency for people to lean and cheat/grasp railing
improperly which leads to lower back and wrist problems.
Team Competition
Advantages - provides great
aerobic conditioning if done for enough time, and adds variety to your fitness routine.
Disadvantages - you need quite a number of people to play and some sports require
too much standing around too often.
Rowing
Advantages - works all major
muscle groups and adds some great variety.
Disadvantages - people with low-back problems should be especially careful with
their form and seek professional instruction with movement.
Ski Machines
Advantages - can provide a
high-level of aerobic conditioning while working the upper and lower body without the
stress of jogging/running.
Disadvantages - costly and some gyms don't provide them, and requires some getting used to
the movement.
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