When it comes to cardio, you either love it or you hate it. It is almost impossible to be in the middle. Still, cardio exercise is extremely beneficial to your long-term health, improving your cardiovascular system, preventing heart disease, lowering your cholesterol levels, and keeping your blood sugar in range.
There are many different types of cardio workouts that target different areas of your body, but they all have one thing in common: getting your heart rate up and burning calories. Probably one of the most natural forms of cardio for humans is run, but not everyone likes to lace up their shoes and sprint around the neighborhood. Here are eight alternatives to running that you can try and reap the cardiovascular benefits.
Cycling
Summer is not over yet and it is a good time to get out the bike and start pedaling. Cycling is great for your lower body and for strengthening your leg muscles. It is also excellent for improving endurance and VO2maxone of the most important measures of physical fitness.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert rider, you can always modify your rides based on your mood and energy levels. And you can make them as easy or challenging as you like, getting all the cardiovascular benefits.
If biking outdoors isn’t your favorite activity, but you still enjoy the movement, hop on an indoor bike and pedal your way to a sweaty workout.
Swimming
You don’t have to be Michael Phelps to have a good swim session. Swimming is really taxing on your body as you move through the water and its resistance, so basically any movement you make is already causing your body to work harder than when there is no water present.
If you are interested in learning a particular swimming style, find a place that offers swimming lessons and learn your technique and posture. Once you learn the basics, you’ll be effective in the pool, counting your strokes and laps, creating a very efficient cardio workout.
Better choice
rollerblading
Another fun outdoor activity, roller skating is easy to learn and provides the ultimate cardio workout. Invite a friend to join you and have a good time while you burn calories. Not to mention, you’ll be outside, breathing in the fresh air and getting away from that laptop.
The great thing about skating is that you can do it basically anywhere it’s safe. You just have to put them on and start skating.
jump rope (jump)
Skipping is an amazing cardio workout that you can do just about anywhere. Apparently 10 minutes of jumping Equivalent to 30 minutes of treadmill jogging. So not only are you doing something fun instead of something you don’t like, but you’re also doing it three times faster.
If you are new to jumping rope then you should master the skill as it can be quite challenging and at first. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like you’ve known it forever. It’s playful, fun, creative, and challenging all at the same time.
Elliptical
If you like the motion of running but don’t like the actual movement, the elliptical may be the perfect cardio exercise for you. It works with both legs and arms and challenges you by adding resistance or increasing speed.
With two different locations for your hands and the ability to play with squatting or extending your legs, you can have a completely different workout every time you get on the machine. The elliptical is also a great option for Tabata exercises where you perform the same movement but at different speeds in a specific period of time: run for 20 seconds, rest for 10, then repeat four to eight times.
Rowing
Rowing is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that really challenges your entire body much faster than you would ever think. Just try rowing for 10 minutes, keeping the same intensity, and you’ll feel like you’ve run five miles by comparison. Studies show it is even more efficient for cardiovascular health than riding a bike.
And you don’t have to be in real water to use these benefits. indoor rowing machines they are just as effective and are an incredible investment for someone who hates running and has room in their home for fitness equipment of this size.
HIIT circuit training
High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is a form of training that allows you to be creative, go from one exercise to another, increase your intensity to the maximum and get away with a very fast and effective workout.
HIIT really focuses on high intensity movements and asks you to deliver your maximum combined with periods of rest. It’s a great and definitely not boring way to get cardio. The only problem with HIIT is that it shouldn’t be done on days when you’re fatigued, sore, and tired, as you probably won’t even reach 70% of your max and could be at risk of injury.
Boxing
Boxing takes skill and practice, but it’s one of the best cardio exercises you can do. Work your entire body, strengthen your muscles, challenge your balance and take your endurance to the next level. If you are a beginner or someone who owns a punching bag in your house, get your gloves Power up and let out all the stress and frustrations with your intense pounding!
Cardio does not mean running; you can get all the health benefits of other cardio-based workouts. Especially if you enjoy them much more. If you’re still not sure where to start, check out these amazing fitness apps and find some inspiration while you browse.
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