Cardio
Cardio is exercise that raises your heart rate and breathing to work the heart and lungs.
Definition
Cardio, short for cardiovascular exercise, is any rhythmic activity that gets you breathing harder and keeps your heart rate up for a sustained period. Common examples include running, cycling, swimming and aerobics classes, where you keep moving continuously rather than in short bursts.
The term is used broadly in fitness to describe this kind of heart-and-lungs work, as opposed to strength exercises focused on lifting. Cardio can be steady and continuous, or built from intervals of harder and easier effort, and it scales from a gentle walk to a fast run.
Where you’ll hear “cardio”
Sports that use this term:
Running
The most accessible endurance sport — no venue, just shoes and the open road or trail.
Cycling
A low-impact endurance sport that doubles as transport, exercise and adventure.
Swimming
A full-body, low-impact endurance sport suitable for almost every age and ability.
Aerobics
A rhythmic, music-led group workout that builds cardiovascular fitness through continuous movement.
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Equipment
- Water bottleA refillable bottle for carrying drinks and staying hydrated during sport.
- Resistance bandA stretchy elastic band that provides resistance for strength and mobility work.
- DumbbellA short handheld weight used for strength and fitness training.
- WetsuitA close-fitting neoprene suit that keeps the wearer warm in cold water.
- Yoga matA thin, cushioned non-slip mat used for floor-based exercise and stretching.
Techniques
Facilities
Exercises
- Mountain climberA dynamic exercise where you drive your knees toward your chest one at a time from a plank.
- BurpeeA full-body exercise combining a squat, a plank, and a jump in one flowing movement.
- Jumping jackA rhythmic cardio move where you jump the feet out and swing the arms overhead, then back in.
- High kneesA running-in-place cardio drill where you lift the knees high with a quick rhythm.
- Jump ropeA cardio exercise where you swing a rope under your feet and jump over it in a steady rhythm.
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- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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