This month, we’re kicking off the new year by focusing on fitness and the four types of exercises your body needs! I’ll take you through all four types this month – which are Strength, Endurance, Balance, and Flexibility. This week we’ll cover Endurance!
You might think that this is more for top athletes, than for the rest of us, but endurance training is just as important as strength training. This training impacts the "big guys" when it comes to your health....you know, the heart, lungs and circulatory system - pretty much what keeps you living everyday.
WHAT IS ENDURANCE TRAINING?
Endurance training (or cardio...I know, I'm sorry. I have to say it) is the ability to maintain endurance performance over an extended period of time.
Basic endurance training improves oxygen flow within your body. This leads to a better supply to your muscles and thus increased performance – because the only powerful muscle is one supplied with oxygen, baby!
Think aerobics, running, biking, dancing, hiking, team sports, etc....
Basically, the kind of stuff that leaves you breathing heavy and sweating lots....(yup, even that is endurance training!).
WHY SHOULD YOU DO ENDURANCE TRAINING?
You'll Last Longer 😄
In and out of the bedroom for you dirty minds! Cardio is what builds your staying power for many things. It will help you keep up with the kids as they run away from you in any public space or make it up that hill your friend convinced you was worth the view without being completely out of breath!
Helps You Stabilize Your Moods 🙃
Or at least help you feel more positive! When you engage in high-intensity exercise, your body and brain produce hormones and neurotransmitters (such as endorphins - the body's feel good chemical) that positivity impact your mood, memory, energy levels and sense of well-being. After a workout, your muscles are tired, but you feel more relaxed. Thanks to your workout, the pent-up tension and stress in your muscles and your mind are reduced.
Get Better Sleep 😴
Yup, it's connected! Moving your body will help it find sleep better and maybe even faster. Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and increases blood flow which in turn will give your body what it needs to run other internal systems better. This type of exercise can improve total sleep time, ability to sleep through the night, and overall sleep quality.
Endurance training is for everyone! Stick around this week, I'll be posting a workout video for endurance training!