( This is a guest post written by Kyle Ohman from ListsForAll.com )
Let’s face it. Doing the same cardio routine over and over can become monotonous very quickly. Spending day in and day out running on the treadmill will have you thinking, “Cardio? How about Cardi-no.” This doesn’t have to be the case, though. With the right gameplan, you can keep your cardio fun, challenging, and something that you actually look forward to!
This article is going to provide six different ways that you can mix up your cardio workouts. You will be able to find the ones that work best for you, or maybe a couple that you aren’t sure about but want to give a try.
Regardless of which ones you choose, the goal is to make sure that you have a rotation of options to choose from. Because the more you can do this, the more you are going to say yes to cardio and achieving your fitness goals.
Do a Circuit Workout
When you think of cardio, it is almost always associated with some form of running, biking, etc. It can be so much more than that, though. In this case, it is going to be a high-intensity circuit workout. Rather than taking a rest in between each set, you are going to keep moving through the different exercises. This will keep your heart rate up and allow you to work on your cardio as well.
Your circuit workout doesn’t have to be the same one every time, either. It could be bodyweight exercises, machines, free weights, or a combination. If you are unsure of what this should look like, take advantage of all of the online fitness resources and find a couple of different circuit workouts to try out. Before you know it, you will be able to build your own circuit workouts.
Play a Sport
One of the most fun ways to mix up your cardio is to play a sport. You will get so caught up in playing a game that you won’t even remember that you are doing cardio. And, don’t worry if you are a professional athlete (or even close to it), there are plenty of levels that you can jump in at.
Whether it is a pickup game of some kind or joining a city rec league, with a little bit of research, you will be able to find something that fits your needs. Don’t be afraid to try something new, either. Who cares if you haven’t played kickball since you were 12, put yourself out there, make some new friends, and get in better shape without even thinking about it.
Enjoy Nature
One of the best ways to keep your mind distracted while doing cardio is to have new things to look at as you go. So instead of going to the gym every day, get outside and enjoy nature as you run. Find a new path to run, research a new park to exercise in, go for a bike ride; there are so many outdoor options to take advantage of. It is up to you to find them, though, and to keep your cardio new, fun, and challenging.
As a fun side effect, you will be able to explore your city or town better, and before you know it, you will know all of the cool spots.
Pool Workout
The pool is one of the most under-used ways to work on cardio. Not only is it a great way to mix up your cardio workouts, though, it is also an excellent way to develop and tone your muscles. Whether it is the freestyle stroke, breaststroke, or one of the others, you will be able to mix it up even more.
Outside of swimming laps, there are plenty of excellent cardio workouts you can do in the pool as well. And, most gyms with pools offer group pool workouts that you can be a part of as well. So whether you join a class, research a pool workout, or create your own, pools are an excellent way to mix up your cardio workouts.
Do a Sport Specific Workout
Playing a sport is an excellent way to mix up your cardio workouts, but doing a sport-specific workout also works well. As a basketball trainer in Tampa, Florida, I primarily work with active players, but I also have clients that enjoy basketball and use it as a way to stay in shape. Rather than hopping on a treadmill, they choose to do basketball dribbling drills, shooting drills, etc. to work on their cardio.
Find a sport that you enjoy, and then work at it and allow it to double as a cardio workout. Before you know it, you will be better at the sport and more in shape. And, just as with playing a sport, don’t be afraid to try something new and challenge yourself. You may find out that you have a new favorite fitness hobby.
Mix Up Your Cardio Machines
Cardio machines at the gym sometimes get a bad rap as far as being boring, but they can also be excellent tools. The key is making sure that you mix it up regularly. Don’t allow yourself to fall into a rut where you are doing the same thing every week. Instead, mix up what cardio machines you use and find different ways to challenge yourself.
Most gyms provide access to treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, row machines, stationary bikes, and a couple of other cardio machines. Take advantage of all of them. If you aren’t great at one of the machines, that is okay. Challenge yourself to keep working at it. By rotating through all of these different machines, you will be able to stay out of that cardio rut that people tend to fall into when using cardio machines.
6 Ways to Mix Up Your Cardio Workouts Conclusion
Cardio doesn’t have to be something that is boring or dreaded. If you take the right approach to it and are willing to put some effort into mixing it up, it will be something that you look forward to. Whether it is trying out a new sport or going for a swim, you will be able to change your mindset about cardio.
To really help maximize your cardio workouts, you must be taking care of your body outside of training as well. The more you are able to allow your body to recover with proper stretching and what you put into it, the easier it will be to stay consistent with cardio workouts.
If you have any thoughts or comments about this article, we would love to hear from you. So please feel free to share your thoughts below.
Read about my experience trying To Those Who Hate Running But Want To Do Cardio Workouts
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Take it 1 Day At A Time.
