Train like an athlete – Part 2A – Cardiovascular Training – Why?

How many times did you read about age 40 + plus individuals getting a heart attack in the recent times? Multiple times, right? The best way to avoid this is to train the heart and make it strong without over doing it along with a regular trip to the doctor to check your blood and vitals.

Let us dive a bit deeper in this topic and try to understand why training your cardiovascular system like an athlete can do wonders to your fitness levels despite you belonging to the ‘general population’ category.

Training the cardiovascular system like an athlete has many benefits for the general population. Athletes are known for having excellent cardiovascular health, and training like an athlete can help improve overall health and well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss why it is necessary for the general population to train their cardiovascular system like an athlete and the benefits of doing so.

What does training the cardiovascular system mean?

Training the cardiovascular system means engaging in activities that increase the heart rate and improve the functioning of the heart. This can include activities like walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, zumba or any other form of aerobic exercise that gets the heart pumping. Aerobic exercise is any activity that increases the heart rate and breathing rate for an extended period. This type of exercise is essential for loading the cardiovascular system.

Why is it necessary to train the cardiovascular system like an athlete?

There are several reasons why it is necessary to train the cardiovascular system like an athlete. Here are some of the most important ones:

Increased endurance:

Training the cardiovascular system improves endurance by increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the muscles. This leads to better overall performance in sports and daily activities. It is important to tweak the intensities of the cardio workouts under supervision. Since high intensity workouts push you to the higher limits, it is advised that such workouts need to be performed under the guidance of certified health professionals.

Reduces the risk of chronic diseases:

Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes. By training the cardiovascular system like an athlete, you can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of developing these diseases since good health is considered as the base of sporting performance.

Improves cardiovascular function:

Training the cardiovascular system improves the function of the heart and blood vessels. This means that the heart can pump more blood with each heartbeat, and the blood vessels can transport more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs. This leads to better overall performance and endurance. It is important to keep changing the intensities at which you train your cardiovascular system.

Boosts energy levels:

Regular exercise improves energy levels by increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach the muscles and organs. This can lead to better performance in daily activities, such as work, hobbies, and socializing.

Improves mental health:

Exercise has been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and boosting self-confidence. This can lead to better overall well-being and quality of life.

Improved sleep quality:

Regular cardiovascular training can help improve the quality of your sleep, allowing you to feel more rested and energized throughout the day. Your body recovers the best when you are asleep. No amount of stretching and foam rolling can match up to it.

Better oxygen utilization:

By training your cardiovascular system, you can increase your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently. This can help you feel less out of breath during any physical activity and may improve your overall energy levels.

Weight loss:

Training your cardiovascular system like an athlete can help you burn calories and lose weight, as cardio exercises are known to be effective at increasing caloric expenditure during the activity.

Overall, training your cardiovascular system like an athlete can have numerous benefits for your health and well-being. It can improve your heart health, increase your endurance and stamina, help you lose weight, and reduce stress and anxiety levels. While all these factors help athletes to perform at their peak, at the same time it helps the general population achieve a healthy body and do all their daily activities with ease and efficiency.

Stay tuned as we will be coming up with the next part of this blog stating, ‘how you can train the cardiovascular system like an athlete’.

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