How Does a Cardio Workout Help With Weight Loss?

Heart Rate

A cardiovascular workout is usually an aerobic activity which causes your heart rate to increase and remain in your Target Heart Rate (THR) Zone. The heart rate is a value calculated by monitoring how many times the heart beats in a minute. To find your THR you must first determine your maximum heart rate, that is, how many beats per minute your heart can pump blood at a safe level. Your maximum heart rate is your age subtracted from the number 220. Once you have your maximum heart rate you can calculate your THR as 50 to 75 percent of that number. This is the zone you should strive to reach in order to achieve a cardiovascular workout. Once the body has achieved THR, it begins to burn calories at an extremely efficient rate.

Metabolism

When the body burns calories at a higher ratio than it is consuming them, weight loss is achieved. However, the benefits of cardio for weight loss do not end at the conclusion of the workout. Sticking to a routine of at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at a minimum of three times a week can help increase the metabolic rate or the metabolism. As a result, the body is burning a greater amount of calories during the day, even when the person is not exercising. This can spark a dramatic difference in the overall amount of weight loss possible.

General Health

Cardiovascular exercise can have many other health benefits, in addition to weight loss. It goes without saying that a strong heart is important in maintaining a healthy body for a long period of time. The heart's job is to pump blood to every organ in our body throughout our entire system. A cardio workout serves to strengthen the heart making it more robust, like a well-defined muscle. A cardio workout also promotes healthy lungs and builds muscle mass. Muscle also helps to burn fat--the more muscle developed, the more fat burned, leading to another increase in weight loss.