Cardio (6)

Cardio is endurance training that keeps your heart rate up for longer and makes the heart and lungs work. A cardio workout can mean the treadmill, the rowing machine, an exercise bike, jumps and bodyweight moves, or a circuit that alternates between them. The trainer chooses the pace and exercises so that you can sustain the effort without your technique falling apart.

As a group class, calmer and harder phases usually alternate so that you can keep working to the end. With a personal trainer the cardio load can be set by heart rate zones and combined with strength work if your goal is better general fitness or preparing for an event. Beginners start with shorter efforts and extend them week by week.

Because the same name means different classes in different gyms, ask how this particular Cardio class is built, whether it includes jumps and how long it lasts. Also find out whether the trainer offers an easier option for beginners and whether heart rate monitors or another way of tracking effort are used.