Cardio is considered a catabolic exercise. Now, I’ll be honest, when Jacob told me this, I didn’t know what it meant either, but it’s basically just a fancy way of saying that cardio is a process that breaks down both fat and muscle.
Going for a run, hitting the trails for a hike, swimming, or even taking a joy ride on your bike are all considered forms of catabolic exercises. Although these exercises break down fat and sometimes muscle if done too much, they’re important for keeping a healthy heart and set of lungs.