With cardio you must open up your lungs. Your lungs are two of the vital organs cardio improves. By sustaining breath control you are actually training your lungs to take in more oxygen. The more you do this the stronger and clearer your lungs will be. Having healthy lungs can go a long way in terms of health. The better you breathe, the more active you will remain, and the less likely you will lead a stationary life.

Cardio also trains your heart. The more you workout with cardio, the more steady your heart will beat under pressure. Given that if you have any pre-existing conditions you should be careful not to stress your heart, it doesn’t hurt to train it a little step at a time to promote strength. Even as an overall bonus, you get better blood flow through to the extremities because your body is pumping it continuously stronger.

All of these factors contribute to overall longer life. With a better heart, set of lungs, muscles, arteries and veins you’re sure to have less complications later in life. so take care of yourself.

Running is great way to boost your health — and it doesn’t even require any special equipment! The exercise is especially beneficial to the heart and lungs, as it promotes healthy oxygen and blood flow.

Studies have linked running to reducing the risk of contracting a cold and even developing cancer. It also provides excellent stress relief and can soothe mild forms of depression as well.

(And it’s good for dogs, too!)

Photo via richard.heeks on Flickr.