Cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise is physical activity that improves the oxygen system, said Heather Kirkes, fitness and outreach coordinator at the University of Oklahoma.
“Aerobic means ‘with oxygen’ and refers to the use of oxygen in the body’s metabolic or energy generating process," Kirkes said. "Many types of exercise are aerobic, and by definition are performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time.”
Cardio exercise takes on many different forms. Kirkes said that the most popular ones with students are running, cycling, elliptical training, and group fitness classes like Zumba and kickboxing.
To stay healthy or improve your health, Kirkes recommends that students do cardio exercises at least two to three times per week, with 30-60 minutes each session.
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| Student do elliptical training in the Huston Huffman Fitness Center at OU |
Lindsay Culp, OU human relations junior, does cardio four to five times per week. Her choice of aerobic activity is running.
“I can think and process everything when I run," Culp said. "I also love to download and listen to podcasts while I run.”
Culp said she really enjoys doing cardio exercise.
“I like sweating and feeling healthy," she said. "I really feel like I’m taking care of my body.”
In case students can’t or don’t want to go to a gym, there are many options for doing cardio outside. Kirkes said students can walk, jog, or run outside, or even do cardio in their rooms.
“There are a lot of great fitness DVDs out there," Kirkes said. "I know a lot of students use the Wii for exercise also."
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