Cardiovascular Exercise : A Beginner’s Guide

We all know that it’s important to exercise, but figuring out how to workout safely and effectively can be daunting. In a “Health Headlines” interview with Wavy TV, Aaron Eppler, a trainer with Bon Secours In Motion in Chesapeake, discusses the importance of cardiovascular exercise and how to safely start up a cardiovascular exercise routine.

According to Aaron cardio, which includes activities like walking, biking, and treadmill work, is particularly important to a healthy lifestyle because it can help reduce cholesterol, lower your stress, and kick-start your weight loss.

If you’re new to cardiovascular exercise how do you safely start a cardiovascular exercise program?

1. Before you begin any exercise program make sure that you first consult a physician.
2. Know your maximum heart rate. In order to calculate this number you can use a simple formula: max heart rate = 220 – your age. (For example an 18 year-old would have a max heart rate of 202 (or 220-18).) Once you have your maximum heart rate, your cardio should raise your rate to between 60-80% of that max rate.

If you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or fatigue during your exercise, you should slow down and take a break. If these symptoms persist call it quits and go see a doctor.