Ever thought of taking up cardiovascular training, otherwise known as cardio training or aerobic exercise?

This kind of exercise is low-intensity. It is what you usually see on morning TV. The kinds (and/or fads) include tae bo, dance, or just plain jogging and bicycling. They have one thing in common: they are focused more on using fuel by oxidation (aided by oxygen), and on achieving muscle and cardiovascular endurance. The muscle contraction is unlike in resistance training, where the contraction is in bursts and cannot wait for the energy to be made available through the longer and slower process of oxidation (so it utilizes energy from quicker methods such as anaerobic respiration). Also, the focus in resistance training is on muscle mass and power (e.g., upper body strength). It’s a popular program for police officers who want to gain that extra bulk.

Marathon runners amd long-distance cyclists are typically cardio exercise athletes. They have leaner muscles but they have better endurance for running longer distances. To give you an idea, just look at the lean physique of multiple Tour de France champion Lance Armsrong. On the other hand, 100-meter sprinters are paragons of strength-training; their muscles are bigger and are geared toward faster times in short sprints, but such muscles tire easily. The benefits of cardio training are many. They include better overall health for several body systems: heart, blood pressure, lungs, bones, mind, muscles, red blood cells, etc. Several popular sports, such as football (e.g., soccer) and basketball, actually are hybrids activities.