Monday, November 9, 2009

How to Stay in Top Shape with the Best Cardio Exercises?

By Thong M. Dao

In order for cardio exercises to work, we need to understand how they work. A cardio exercise program allows the body to burn off fat. But we've always wondered what is the best cardio exercise that burns the most fat. Is it high intensity, or low?

Scientists found that high impact exercise enables the body to burn glycogen which is a kind of carbohydrates. The body stores glycogen in the liver and muscles and will use it for energy. It's also believed that under a low impact exercise, the body burns a lot of fat.

If you're wondering whether or not it works, the answer is no because there are so many obese folks still around, even though they are working out with low intensity routines. It still makes you wonder how it can be.

What scientists claimed about the impact of low intensity cardio exercises is true. These exercises, such as walking and swimming, are great fat-burners. But that does not mean high intensity exercises do not burn as much fat. They require a huge amount of energy from glycogen and fat.

To put the icing on the cake, when our store of glycogen gets low, the carbohydrates from the food we eat will later be converted into glycogen to fill up the store instead of body fat when they are left unused.

Cardio exercises with high intensity will boost your metabolism during and after your workout. Your metabolism will still be active for long hours later.

This effect is nearly non-existent in low intensity cardio workout. Cumulatively, the body will burn up more and more calories during and after we have finished a high intensity cardio exercise that it will with low intensity.

In order to utilize both low and high impact cardio exercises, we need to put them together in a routine. For example, walk for about 5 minutes, then power walk (almost jog) for the same amount of time.

Then, walk briskly again until we have caught our breath and then sprint for a minute before we walk again. From this point, simply alternate running and walking for the next 15 minutes until we are done. If you don't like walking, do the same with a cardio exercise machine.

And cardio workout not only burns body fat. More importantly, you'll experience high energy levels all the time.

I have an important message for newcomers. Start slowly and pace yourself, you do not want to get exhausted, do you? Take on your cardio exercise program today and stay in top shape!

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