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To learn how to maximize your results, read my article on the Four Dimensions of Fitness. The Four dimensions are Diet, Resistance Training, Cardio and Commitment. Please Contact Us now to request a copy. You can also Contact Us with your questions and suggestions for more articles

Cardiovascular Training: Cardio the right way, intensity.

Most people know that when it comes down to getting results, cardiovascular training is of primary importance to seeing the results you want. Cardiovascular training not only ensures that your heart and lungs perform at a top level, but it also ensures that your muscles get the proper nutrients and oxygen to perform their best. There are many benefits of cardio training and there is a certain way you should go about doing your training as well.

This bring about the subject of intensity. Intensity should be the number one indicator of whether or not you are improving with your cardiovascular training. Although Intensity is only one letter in the acronym of the FITT principle, it may very well be the most important.

The FITT principle stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. An example of this would be working out more often, working out harder, working out longer, or changing the activity. Intensity is of primary importance because it is very easy to simply change the frequency, time, or type. This can be done by simply working out 5 times a week rather then 4, by working out longer each time, or by switching from swimming to running. Intensity is not so easy to change and regulate and because of this and other reasons, it is also of primary importance when designing your cardiovascular program.

Intensity is sometimes misunderstood because it can be confused easily with time, type, or frequency. Remember, none of these can replace the effect that intensity has on your body. Increasing the time does not increase the intensity by itself and neither does increasing the frequency or the type of activity. In fact, one can easily increase the frequency, time, and type and still have a decreasingly effective cardiovascular fitness program. For example, you can walk at a very slow rate 7 times a week, for an hour and a half straight and still not see any results. This is because intensity is missing. One thing people often get caught up in is thinking that more time spent on the training will reap more results. This is not true! Don't waste your time and patience getting caught in this mentality. Not only will you be wasting your valuable time, but you will be wasting your effort as you notice that your results are minimal.

In the FITT principle, intensity is vitally important. But what does this mean? How does this translate to how you as an individual should be performing you cardio exercise? Good question, and here is your answer.

A good cardiovascular program should be short, interval intensity, and individually challenging. Preferably your cardio training should be under 30min and should consist of some very challenging efforts on your part. This kind of training is many times more efficient and will give you the greatest results for your investment. The reason why shorter more intense cardiovascular training is so effective is because it creates a metabolic boost after your workout. Your metabolism speeds up immediately during and after your cardiovascular training. Not only this but it also speeds up you metabolism for hours afterwards as your body recovers from your efforts. You see, when you do high intensity cardiovascular training, your body is being trained both anaerobically and aerobically. This means that your muscles, as well as your cardiovascular system is being trained at an intense level. This will cause an overload on your body and result in a metabolic boost that you wouldn't have had with less intense cardiovascular training. When your body is being taxed both anaerobically and aerobically, you will get many benefits that lower intensity training for longer periods of time won't give you. Not only will your heart, lungs, and blood transportation systems be required to do more , but your muscular systems will be getting a vigorous workout as well. When this happens, your body will become stronger and also healthier because your cardiovascular system will be more efficient and prepared to handle the exertions we have in everyday life.

I've written some other articles to help you with your workout results. You can read more and join in the discussion of these workout articles in our Forums.

• Nutrition: Before you even start thinking about exercising.
• Nutrition: What is the best nutritional program?
• Nutrition: Alcohol (The good and the bad)
• Nutrition: Milk - "It does a body bad, real bad"
• Strength Training: "Just do it" Why Nike has it right...
• Strength Training: It's called Intensity!!
• Strength Training: Toning and Building the Arms
• Strength Training: The Best Exercise Routine For Busy People
• Strength Training: Ladies! Toning your Thighs and Butt.
• Strength Training: How can I be Consistent with my Workouts and get Results with my busy schedule?
• Strength Training: How to get a Sexy Flat Stomach
• Strength Training: Getting Bulky
• Cardiovascular Training: It is crucial to know your why...
• Cardiovascular Training: Why you should be exercising less
• Cardiovascular Training: Cardio the right way, intensity.
• Commitment: It takes six weeks
• Commitment: How I went from cute pretty boy to hot stud in 5 seconds flat
• Commitment: Train for your potential

Contact Us with your questions and suggestions for more articles

Please Note

The articles are only simple guidelines. They do not stand alone in your success. Workout 4 Results specializes in providing results and forming your body into a balanced, athletic, and aesthetic shape. In every case, this requires individualized programming in every area of each dimension. Your diet, your resistance program, and your cardiovascular program, and even your committed approach will all be unique in order to reap the biggest results.