You either love it or you hate it when it comes to cardio. Being in the middle is almost impossible. Still, aerobic exercise is highly beneficial to your long-term health, as it improves your cardiovascular system, prevents heart disease, lowers cholesterol levels, and keeps blood sugar levels within range.
There are many different types of aerobic exercise that target different areas of the body, but they all have one thing in common. It’s all about getting your heart rate up and burning calories. Running is probably the most natural aerobic exercise for humans, but not everyone enjoys lacing their shoes and sprinting around the neighborhood. Here are his eight alternatives to running that reap the benefits of cardio.
cycling
Summer is not over yet. Now is the perfect time to get your bike out and start pedaling. Cycling is great for building lower body and leg muscles. It’s also great for improving his one of the most important indicators of fitness: endurance and his VO2 Max.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bike rider, you can always change your ride depending on your mood and energy level. And you can get all the benefits of cardio and make it as easy or as hard as you like.
If you don’t like biking outdoors but still enjoy working out, hop on an indoor bike and pedal for a sweaty workout.
swimming
You don’t have to be Michael Phelps to give a good swim session. Swimming is extremely taxing on the body as it moves through water and its resistance, so basically any movement you make will force your body to work harder than if the water were not present.
If you’re interested in learning a particular swimming style, find a place that offers swimming lessons to hone your technique and posture. Once you have the basics, you’ll be able to swim effectively in the pool, count your strokes and laps, and create a highly efficient cardio workout.
top choice
roller blade
Another fun outdoor activity, rollerblading is easy to learn and the ultimate in cardio. Invite your friends to join you and spend quality time while burning calories. Needless to say, be outside, get some fresh air, and get off that laptop.
The biggest advantage of rollerblading is that you can basically do it anywhere it’s safe. All you need to do is put them on and start skating.
Skipping rope
Skipping is a great cardio exercise that you can do practically anywhere. A 10-minute skip is equivalent to his 30-minute jog on the treadmill. So not only are you doing something you enjoy instead of something you hate, you’re doing it three times faster.
If you’re new to jump rope, you’ll need to master the skill as it can be quite challenging and rudimentary at first. Once you get the hang of it, it feels like you’ve known it all along. Playful, fun, creative, and challenging.
Oblong
If you love the motion of running but hate the physical movement, the elliptical might be the perfect cardio workout. It works with both legs and arms, adding resistance or increasing speed to challenge you.
With two different hand positions and the ability to squat or stretch your legs, you get a completely different workout every time you step on the machine. The elliptical is also a great option for tabata exercises where you perform the same movement at different speeds over a specific time frame. Sprint for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat 4-8 times.
rowing
Rowing is a great cardio exercise that actually challenges your whole body much faster than you think. Rowing for 10 minutes at about the same intensity feels like you’ve run 5 miles. Studies show it’s even more effective for cardiovascular health than cycling.
And you don’t have to be in actual water to take advantage of these benefits. Indoor Rowing His machine is just as effective, making it an amazing investment for someone who hates running and has the space for a piece of fitness equipment this size in their home.
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HIIT circuit training
High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is a form of training that allows you to be creative and go from exercise to exercise, maxing out the intensity for a very quick and effective workout.
HIIT focuses on high-intensity movements and calls for maximum performance combined with rest periods. The only problem with HIIT is that you shouldn’t do it on days when you’re tired, sore, or tired. Risk of injury.
boxing
Boxing requires skill and practice, but it is one of the best cardio exercises. It works your whole body, strengthens your muscles, challenges your balance and pushes your stamina to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or have a boxing bag at home, put on your gloves and let a hard punch take away all your stress and frustration.
Cardio doesn’t mean running. You get all the health benefits you get from other cardio exercises. Especially if you enjoy them more. If you don’t know where to start, check out these great fitness apps and find inspiration as you browse.
