Cardio and more for a healthy heart, according to BestReviews fitness expert

The evidence from studies is undeniable: exercise is good for you. Not only does it help you live a better and happier life, it can also help you live longer. In short, the human body functions best when exercise and muscle use are part of your daily routine.

Judd NeSmith, founder of Serious Fitness and fitness expert at BestReviews, said the heart is the body’s most important muscle, so regular cardio exercise is essential.

In this article: NordicTrack T-Series Treadmill, Schwinn Fitness Airdyne Bike Series, and Concept2 Model D Indoor Rower.

Why it’s important to keep your heart healthy

“Heart health means improved blood flow, which helps you lower your blood pressure,” NeSmith said. “It will also help you increase blood flow from your heart, which may help improve your cognitive function as you age.” A healthy heart can help reduce the risk of stroke and lower cholesterol levels.”

And NeSmith said: “If you stick to a weekly cardiovascular routine – do it at least three or four days a week – you will have a lower resting heart rate. This means you will likely increase your longevity. The less your heart has to work while you’re resting, the healthier you’ll be.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees, “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. Being physically active can improve brain health, control weight, reduce risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to perform everyday activities.”

Risks of a sedentary lifestyle

“Sedentary behavior has widespread adverse effects on the human body,” reports the Korean Journal of Family Medicine. In short, a sedentary lifestyle not only means less physical activity, but your body’s chemical reactions follow suit. You get more fatty tissue and chronic inflammation, and your risk factors for numerous diseases increase.

So even if you have no interest in getting athletic, you owe it to yourself to engage in cardiovascular exercise in order to live the best life possible.

Best cardio equipment

NordicTrack T-Series Treadmill

“I love treadmills,” NeSmith said. “Especially during the colder months or even the warmer months when it’s raining outside.” They’re “great for walkers, joggers and runners,” he said, and are suitable for beginners to experienced athletes. BestReviews found this NordicTrack treadmill to be the top product in the category, saying it was “a high-end, feature-rich treadmill at a reasonable price.”

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NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle

NeSmith is also a fan of exercise bikes. This one from NordicTrack is the knd most people are familiar with because you see it in spinning classes. It is designed for longer cardio sessions from 20 minutes to an hour and includes several options such as: B. a rotating touch screen and an automatic trainer that make it a luxurious workout.

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Schwinn Fitness Airdyne bike

Fanbikes are instantly recognizable because instead of a front wheel, they have a huge fan that creates resistance – the faster you pedal, the greater the resistance. NeSmith said these types of bikes are all the rage at gyms and are great for cardio. This Schwinn model is optimized for high resistance and low noise.

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Concept2 Model D indoor rowing machine

“I’m a big fan of rowing machines,” NeSmith said. “My favorite brand is the Concept2 Rower. This machine is another great cardio machine that can be used for longer cardio exercises. However, if you prefer, you can use it for shorter, high-intensity bursts of interval training.”

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Bowflex M6 Max Trainer

NeSmith said not to forget elliptical trainers. These low-impact machines are suitable for beginners, but you can increase the intensity as you develop more strength and endurance. This one from Bowflex has a compact design to fit more easily into homes. It offers 16 resistance levels and delivers a full body workout.

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Stamina X height adjustable plyo box

“A lot of us sit for a living,” NeSmith said. “Then we go training and sit down on a piece of equipment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of exercise bikes. But I’m also a fan of people who train in an upright position.” A stair climber, or stepping platform, he said, gives you cardiovascular exercise while developing better balance and a stronger core. The Stamina X is an excellent option as it can be adjusted to 12, 16, 20 and 24 inch heights.

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Wod Nation Speed ​​Jump Rope

“Jump rope is one of the more efficient ways to burn a lot of calories,” NeSmith said. “A lot of my clients jump rope for 30 seconds to a minute and then rest for the same amount of time and repeat that sequence for five or 10 sets and they get phenomenal calorie burn. It also improves their heart health.” Lightweight and with ergonomic handles, this one was selected as the “Best of the Best” jump rope by BestReviews.

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Other exercise equipment worth checking out

Cardio gear handpicked by the staff at BestReviews includes these:

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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best choices for most consumers.

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