Cardiovascular exercise, for treadmill workouts, is a vigorous activity that increases heart rate, see tips for enhancing your workout.

Your heart rate has increased. You exhale more quickly and profoundly. You also perspire. That’s probably because you’ve been working the major muscles in your legs, arms, and hips for a long time.

When these primary muscles are engaged in activity, the rate of breathing increases to produce energy. As a result of the increased need for oxygen, respiration, and heart rate increase. This type of action is known as cardiovascular exercise or cardio for short.

The term “cardio” is derived from the Greek word “karda,” which means “heart.” Simply put, cardio exercise is defined as any intentional, coordinated physical activity that boosts your heart rate for an extended length of time.