Improving your stamina with a cardio workout can help get any athlete in better condition to perform his sport. It can also help any individual who wants to improve her condition so she can live a healthier lifestyle and better enjoy day-to-day life. There are many options for those who want a cardio workout. If you're older or have health issues, consult a doctor before embarking on this or any other exercise regimen.
Function
Building stamina through cardio workouts raises your overall conditioning, helps you lose weight and helps you feel better, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. One of the best ways to get a great cardio workout is through interval training. To do this, go to a high school or college track and do a 100-yard sprint. As soon as you finish this, go back to the starting line as quickly as possible and sprint 90 yards, followed by sprints of 80 and 70 yards. Take a two-minute break at the end of the four sprints and then repeat the set.
Significance
Getting your heart rate up through a strong cardio workout causes you to burn calories and can help you lose weight in addition to building endurance. The key to doing that is working for a minimum of 25 minutes at a time to get your heart rate up into the target zone. You can run, walk, ride a bike or swim. Go for at least 25 minutes at 75 percent of your capacity. You cannot stop or break into a trot. You must push yourself to go at 75 percent capacity to build endurance and burn calories.
Types
There are many ways to get great cardio workouts -- running, biking, swimming, rowing machines, elliptical trainers and treadmills among them. Elliptical trainers are especially helpful because they help build upper-body strength and improve your cardio performance and stamina.
Effects
In addition to helping you feel stronger, faster and more powerful, cardio has the effect of making you happier and more confident. This comes from an endorphin release that is triggered by neurons in the nervous system.
Misconceptions
Don't try to stoke your body's furnace with an energy bar or sports drink before your workout. You're much better off with a simple fruit snack and water than the highly advertised and packaged sports drinks. Fruit and water are much healthier and bring more immediate benefits. "Consuming an energy bar or drink is not productive," said fitness expert Sarah Brown. "They are full of sugar and chemicals that your body has to spend a lot of energy breaking down and digesting, which in turn makes it unable to burn off what you have stored in your fat cells."
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