Almost everyone knows that performing cardio training a few times per week can result in weight loss, but not everyone knows of the many additional benefits to be gained from this type of exercise. Cardio training not only helps people shed excess pounds, it also helps tone muscle, reduce stress, and offer relief from a variety of health ailments. Here are all of the benefits!

Weight Loss
It is no secret that a good cardio workout will help you shed those pounds, or for those who are already at a healthy weight, it can help with maintenance. Cardiovascular exercise helps to increase the metabolism, which can become sluggish due to bad diet, health issues and age. Excess calories are burned, which when coupled with good nutrition, helps reduce weight the safe and healthy way. There are a number of fad diets out there, and typically they make the claim of fast weight loss without exercise. These diets may initially help shed pounds quickly, but victims of this type of diet usually regain all of the weight, and some even add on a few more pounds. When it comes to weight loss, it is best to stick with a healthy diet and cardio training.

Dangers of Inactivity
Billions are spent on healthcare due to inactivity. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle may lead to a number of health issues, regardless of weight or age. Hypertension and heart disease are often a result of a sedentary lifestyle. Cardio training 3-4 times a week for thirty minutes or more reduces the risk for obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, and it doesn’t take dropping large amounts of weight to notice a difference in your health. Just going for a daily walk continuously or spending 20 minutes a day at the gym can do wonders.

Stronger Muscles
Like weight lifting, cardio strengthens muscles. It affords the body a tone and lean appearance. The heart is also a muscle and benefits immensely from this type of exercise. A cardiovascular workout increases blood flow, which in turn improves organ function. Furthermore, if you’re a weightlifter, pumping iron only does so much for your physique. To make sure you can actually see all that muscle you’ve built, get some cardio in to burn the fat that’s hiding it!

Stress Reduction
Cardio training has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. When we exercise, our bodies release some “feel good hormones” known as endorphins, that make most people feel a bit better about things for a short period of time. In addition to this, cardio can be a great way to work out stress from work, home or elsewhere!

Confidence Booster
Exercise also increases energy and confidence. A surge in these two items may mean clearer thinking, better job performance and even an increased sex drive. Let’s face it, when you look good, you feel good, and there is no better confidence booster than looking and feeling sexy. Feeling good will then make you more likely to work out again, repeating the cycle!

There are many benefits to cardio training. Often, it is ignored in place of core strengthening via weight training, but it should be a normal part of everyone’s daily routine. It helps to shed extra pounds, reduce health related ailments, and tone muscles. Never be afraid to start slow. Always work your way into a new cardio routine – don’t push anything. Let the results come naturally!

Penny Marta writes about fitness, finance