The best cardio exercises are something you enjoy so you'll stick to it to get the maximum benefits. You may be surprised at how quickly this form of physical activity becomes a habit you enjoy.

Exercise and cardiovascular fitness exercises are great for your health but the best cardio exercises get you to your ideal target heart rate as you exercise.

To test your heart rate while exercising place your thumb on the underside of your wrist to locate your pulse. Count the heart beats for fifteen seconds and multiply that number times four.

That number is your heart rate. To calculate your ideal target heart rate, subtract your age from two hundred and twenty.

Everyone has their own preference of exercise, but these exercises below will get you to your ideal target heart rate and are some of the best cardio exercises.

Walking As Exercise

Walking as exercise fits well into most lifestyles and is something anyone can do at any age. Start out walking at a medium pace and end up walking briskly so you can get to your ideal target heart rate.

Walk where you climb slight grades to increase resistance which will increase your heart rate. Not only will walking for fitness make you feel good it's one of the best cardio exercises to do with a friend.

Bicycling Exercise

Bicycling exercise also offers no age barriers and people at almost any fitness level can enjoy it. The benefit of bicycling exercise is it builds your strength and agility.

Like walking, to get to your ideal target heart rate, find slight grades to ride on to increase resistance. Bicycling exercise is not only one of the best cardio exercises it's not likely that you'll ever get bored.

Swimming Pool Workout

A swimming pool workout is ideal for a full body exercise and cardiovascular fitness. Exercise in water is easy on the joints because the water supports you and water also provides a natural resistance.

To keep your workout balanced, swim laps using different strokes to vary the muscles you work. A swimming pool workout is one of the best cardio exercises because it gets you to your ideal target heart rate quickly.

Elliptical Exercise

Working out on an elliptical exerciser is one of the best cardio exercises available. Like a swimming pool workout, elliptical exercise is ideal for a full body exercise and cardiovascular fitness.

The motion of elliptical exercise feels very natural and compliments normal body movements making it feel like the workout is easier. Elliptical exercise creates a safe workout because it reduces the harmful stress and impact on your muscles and joints.

The duration of any cardiovascular fitness exercise should be a minimum of twenty minutes and up to sixty minutes. Test your heart rate while exercising and calculate your ideal target heart rate.

To get to your ideal target heart rate just adjust your speed or resistance. That way you get the highest possible benefit and the best cardio exercise possible.

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