Cardiovascular exercise is any exercise that uses the large muscle groups (mainly legs) and is continuous and rhythmic in nature. In other words, exercises that involve repetitive movements without stopping and starting are cardiovascular exercises. Examples include running, jogging, walking briskly, swimming, biking, or any number of activities that take place in aerobic exercise classes. In fact, cardiovascular exercise is aerobic exercise.
The key element of cardiovascular exercise, also called cardiorespiratory exercise, is an increase in the amount of exertion by the heart and lungs, as it is these two organs that are primarily being exercised. So, in addition to the exercise being steady and rhythmic, it also has to raise your heart rate (beats per minute) above its normal level to be considered as cardio. This level would be a heart rate equaling 55 to 90 percent of your maximum heart rate (see Calculating Your Target Heart Rate for a more accurate method).
Other aspects of cardiovascular exercise include duration and frequency. For cardiovascular exercise to be effective in increasing heart and lung endurance, it must take place for a duration of at least 20 minutes, 3 to 5 days per week.
Related Articles
Sources
“Training for Cardiovascular Fitness,” Women's Sports Medicine Center
“General Exercise Guidelines,” UCLA Recreations
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