If you’re like most people, you probably think of cardio as a way to get in shape and lose weight. And while those are both important goals, there’s another aspect of cardio that’s often overlooked: speed.
When it comes to cardio, is it more important to focus on maintaining good form, or should you be concerned with going as fast as you can?
In this article, we will go over what cardio is, why it’s important, and the best way to do cardio exercises to achieve the best results.
What Is Cardio?
Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise, which means any type of activity that gets your heart rate up and keeps it there for an extended period of time. Cardio can be anything from running to swimming to playing basketball.
The key to cardio is intensity. In order to get the most out of your cardio workout, you need to maintain a level of intensity that will raise your heart rate and keep it there for the duration of the workout.
Why Is Cardio Important?
Cardio is important for two main reasons: cardiovascular health and weight loss.
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular exercise is any type of activity that helps to improve the health of your heart and lungs. Regular cardio exercise can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It can also help to improve your cholesterol levels and increase your overall fitness level.
Weight Loss
Cardio is also one of the most effective ways to lose weight. When you do cardio exercises, your body burns calories both during and after the workout. The more intense the cardio, the more calories you’ll burn.
Form vs. Speed – Which Is More Important?
Now that we know what cardio is and why it’s important let’s take a closer look at the form versus speed debate.
As we mentioned before, the key to getting the most out of your cardio workout is intensity. And while both form and speed are important factors in determining the intensity, there is one that is more important than the other.
Speed is the most important factor in determining the intensity of your cardio workout. The faster you go, the harder your heart and lungs have to work, and the more calories you’ll burn.
That’s not to say that form isn’t important.
Good form is essential for preventing injuries and maximizing the benefits of your cardio workout. For example, good form can help prevent injury as well as work target muscle groups harder.
In the beginning, try doing your exercises more slowly so you can master the form. Once you’ve mastered the forms, work on pushing yourself faster and faster.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it: when it comes to cardio, speed and form are of equal importance to prevent injury, get the maximum results, and improve your cardiovascular health. So go out and start pushing yourself to go faster! Your heart and lungs will thank you.
