Cardio is a great way to stay in shape and get your heart rate up. Everyone always raves about running as a great form of cardio. But many people don’t like to run or simply get bored just running. Sound familiar? If you hate running, don’t worry. Cardio can be so much more than just running. Here are some ideas to get you started so that you never skip a cardio day again!
1. Swimming
Swimming is a great form of cardio, especially if you want to work your whole body. The water provides great resistance for your body which makes it work harder. It’s also great for those of you who live in warmer climate so that you can cool down while getting a workout in.
Calories burned per hour: 430-575
2. Bike Riding
If you want a more leg-intensive form of cardio, try bike riding! This is a great way to get your cardio in, especially if you try going uphill. Riding your bike on an incline can really target your quads and get your heart rate going.
Calories burned per hour: 400-800
3. Try out a New Sport
Sports that involve running are a great way to get your cardio in. If you get bored easily when you’re just running, consider incorporating a new sport into your routine. Join a club near you or find some friends and get out there! Here are some examples of sports that are great cardio: tennis, soccer, boxing, dancing, and basketball.
Tennis: 575-775
Soccer: 500-700
Boxing: 525-916
Dancing: 300-800
Basketball: 575-775
4. Hiking
Hiking is a great way to spend more time outdoors while also getting a great workout in. If running seems too high energy or intense, try going out for longer and spending that energy on a hike. This can help you build endurance while also getting a good cardio workout in. It’s also a great way to sightsee or spend more time in nature. Check out this article on hiking essentials before you venture out!
Calories burned per hour: 451-644
5. HIIT workouts
HIIT workouts or High Intensity Interval Training, is when you train intensely for very short periods of time, ranging from 15-60 seconds. This is a great way to get your cardio in if you get easily bored because of the high level of variation you can get. There are so many HIIT workouts all over the internet that are free to use!
Calories Burned per hour: Varies on workout, check workout information
Now the next time a cardio day rolls around, you have plenty of options to cycle through to fight boredom! Try out some of these workouts and watch as you break a sweat in an entirely new way. Remember that working out should be something you enjoy, that’s when it is most effective!
Photo Credits: Pexels.com
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