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Is Cardio Unnecessary? The Truth About Aerobic Exercise
What is the truth?
Hello. Recently, more people seem to be asking, “Is cardio really necessary?” Certainly, strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which can be expected to work in a short time, are getting attention, and the value of cardio is sometimes overlooked. But cardio has many benefits that are essential for physical and mental health. This time, let’s look closely at its importance and how to practice it.
1. Better heart and lung fitness
The biggest benefit of cardio is that it strengthens your heart and lung fitness. It strengthens your heart and lungs and improves your ability to supply oxygen efficiently throughout your body. At Orange Fitness, you can train your heart and lung fitness efficiently using the treadmill.
- Better endurance: walking and running on the treadmill improve your heart and lung fitness and raise your endurance. As a result, you feel less fatigue in daily life and can be more active.
- Helps maintain health: regular cardio promotes blood circulation and is also effective for managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
2. Burning body fat
Cardio is very effective for burning body fat efficiently. Training on the treadmill raises calorie use and supports healthy weight management.
- Keep your heart rate in the right range: to burn fat effectively, your heart rate during exercise matters. As a guide, “breathing a little harder but still able to hold a light conversation” is ideal. At this intensity your body starts to use fat effectively as fuel. When you walk or jog lightly on the treadmill, aim for a pace where you can relax and talk.
- Advice for older adults: cardio is also very important for older adults. But it’s important not to overdo it. Keep a pace where you’re slightly out of breath but can still talk. Using the treadmill at this pace lets you keep exercising safely while maintaining your health.
- If you want a bit more intensity: if you feel like pushing a little harder, try “a pace where conversation becomes a little difficult.” At this stage your heart rate rises further, calorie use increases and gains in fitness can be expected.
3. Benefits for mental health
Cardio also has wonderful effects on mental health. It is an effective way to reduce stress and refresh yourself.
- Stress relief: during treadmill exercise, endorphins (the “happiness hormones”) are released and ease stress and anxiety. This is very effective for resetting your mood.
- Better sleep quality: regular cardio deepens your sleep at night and leaves you clearer on waking the next day. Good-quality sleep is an important element supporting overall health.
4. Cardio at Orange Fitness
At Orange Fitness you can do cardio on the treadmill. At our gym, we support members in strengthening their heart and lung fitness at their own pace and living a healthy life.
- Treadmill tips: beginners should start with walking and, once used to it, move on to jogging or running. It’s important to keep exercising at a pace that suits you while paying attention to your heart rate.
- Support for older adults: we support training that raises your heart rate at a manageable pace and helps maintain your health.
Summary
The answer to the question “Is cardio unnecessary?” is, without a doubt, “It is necessary.” Cardio plays an important role in improving heart and lung fitness, burning body fat and improving mental health. Use the treadmill, keep your heart rate in the right range, and aim for a healthy, active life.
Orange Fitness is a semi-personal gym in Kai City, Yamanashi. Learn how coaching works, see our plans and pricing, or book a trial or tour. You are welcome to just look around.