Six Ways to Spruce Up Your Cardio Routine
A lot of us have the same goal when it comes to personal fitness, to lose weight and get defined. Obtaining the coveted flat stomach and beach-ready physique is the crowning achievement for most. However, burning off those extra winter pounds is not easy. For many, the weight room is an intimidating start to losing unwanted weight. Cardio is always a great option for those that aren’t fond of the gym because many of the workouts don’t require a barbell or squat rack. However, it’s no secret that cardio exercises can get a little repetitive after awhile. So we have compiled a list of ways to bring life into your cardio workout and make exercises even more exciting!
1. Take a Stroll to Explore Somewhere New
A great way to amp up your cardio routine is to jog in a new location. Sure you can go around the neighborhood a few times, but changing the scenery turns your run into an adventure rather than another jog around the block. If you are relatively new to jogging, just start slow and jog slowly for 15-30 min. Once you are able to breeze through your half-hour stroll increase the distance, or if you are pressed for time increase your intensity by jogging a little faster. Lace up those sneakers and explore your city one jog at a time!
2. Jump(rope) Into Something Different
Remember the days of grade school when recess was king and everyone in the schoolyard was swinging, playing hopscotch or jumping rope. Well, little did you know that one of your childhood pastimes can be an effective cardio workout. Jumping rope will not only increase your heart rate, but it also helps you shed weight at a rapid rate. Studies have shown that anyone can burn up to 1300 calories per hour! While jumping rope is initially fun, after a while it can become very repetitive. However, if you include jump rope skills such as cross overs and double jumps every few skips, your workout will become much harder and more importantly cooler looking.
3. Switch Up the Routine with a Home Exercise Video
Remember those cheesy 80’s workout videos where the hairstyles were puffy and leotards were tight? Good news! Those nostalgic videos have been updated and are now much more effective. Many new video training programs offer cardio segments that rival some of the best gym workouts. We know it sounds corny but having a video instructor guiding you through a workout makes sticking to the exercise much easier. Even the most dedicated of athletes need motivation from someone every once in a while. So why not a TV trainer? Que up your favorite video and start sweating to the oldies in the comfort of your home.
4. Put Away the Running Shoes and Take Out the Bike
Remember when you were a child and the only means of transportation was a bike? Just like the jump rope, the bicycle is a piece of childhood memorabilia that can also be used to burn off stubborn fat. Studies have shown that riding your bike for just an hour can burn up to 650 calories. Best of all riding your bike is much easier on your knees than running! Switch it up from your daily jog and grab a seat so you can start biking off those extra pounds.
5. Try Some Bodyweight Workouts
Not all workouts require a barbell and a tank top to be effective. With just a little motivation you can perform a workout that rivals some of the gyms best equipment. Various exercises such as burpees, squat jumps, pushups, and planks are guaranteed to increase your heart rate. By including bodyweight workouts in your cardio routine, you can make those laps around the neighborhood even more intense. For example, every time you see a mailbox, do 10 squats, every time you run past your house do 12 pushups. You get the idea. Bodyweight workouts are simple but very effective and above all do not require a gym membership.
