Cardio exercise equipment consists of machines that allow you to exercise and raise your heart rate, but stay in one location. They're typically found in commercial fitness gyms or you can buy them for home use. The equipment offers options for those who are interested in improving their health and fitness.
Function
Cardio exercise equipment is designed to elevate your heart rate over a significant period of time. The equipment remains stationary as you perform your exercise movements upon it. Most of the activities you would perform on the equipment can be done outside and without equipment, but there are possible benefits from using machines for your workout.
Benefits
Consistently participating in cardiovascular exercise has been shown to develop your heart and respiratory health, which subsequently decreases the risk of heart disease. Cardiovascular exercise is also efficient in burning calories, which helps to facilitate weight loss, reducing obesity-related health risks. In addition, those who include fitness into their daily regime may see improvements in mood and self-confidence.
Types of Equipment
A treadmill allows you to walk or run inside and while staying in a single location. Stationary bikes come in an upright or reclined position, and provide an option for those who prefer to pedal their way to health. An elliptical machine is somewhat of a combination of a treadmill and a stationary bike, as you maintain an upright, standing position but use pedals as you propel your legs in an elliptical motion. Finally, a stair climber mimics climbing stairs and not only increases the heart rate, but also helps to develop leg and glute muscles.
Features
Depending on the type of equipment and the model, some cardio equipment may feature heart-rate monitor systems, custom fitness programs, entertainment options that could include music or television, or areas to place your water bottle and reading material. All of the pieces of cardio equipment will allow you to vary the intensity, either by increasing the speed, changing the incline or decline and increasing the resistance.
Workouts
Cardio exercise equipment allows you to maintain your intensity level without having to deal with any outside factors. You can run or bike at the same pace without having to dodge obstacles. The American Council of Exercise suggests that you incorporate interval training into your workout sessions. Interval training is where you complete short, high-intensity exercise sessions with periods of rest in between. Instead of performing 30 minutes of exercise at a consistent intensity, you pick one day and incorporate short bouts of intense activity, such as sprinting for two minutes at a high speed and then walking for a minute before sprinting at a high speed again.
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