Why should you do more cardio? It’s beneficial for heart health, optimizes blood sugar control, helps create a calorie deficit to achieve weight loss, and it’s an amazing stress/anxiety reliever. Here are 8 ways to add more cardio to your life!
Let’s chat about cardio! It’s not everyone’s favorite thing to do, but it’s a necessary evil. Now more than ever, getting outside and being active is crucial for not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. If you’re looking for ways to add more cardio to your life, I’m a firm believer that you need to do cardio exercises that you can find a happy medium with.
Exhibit A: my legs are on fire, I’m sweating like a pig, but I’m shaking my booty screaming “ooh ooh!”, and having a blast in this Zumba class right now.
Exhibit B: going for a run on a gorgeous trail where you might feel like your whole body is exhausted, but the sunset is beaming in right over the trees and taking you to another place.
THAT kind of happy medium. Have some fun and take in the beauty of nature while you’re burning some calories! I promise it’s the only way to go. Below are 8 examples of ways to add more cardio to your life.
Expert Tip: For the first 30 minutes of cardio exercise your body is utilizing calories from the food you’ve consumed as it’s energy source. However, after 30 minutes your body switches to breaking down stored body fat as it’s energy source. That’s right, your cardio exercise turns into a pure fat burn! With this is mind, 45 minutes to an hour is an ideal amount of time to do cardio if you are seeking weight loss.
8 Ways to Add More Cardio to Your Life
1. Hiking
Hiking is my absolute favorite form of cardio! It’s so fun to look for new trails in different locations, challenge yourself, and bond with a friend along the way. If you hike the trail solo, there’s just something about getting that one-on-one connection with nature and escaping the world for a few hours. I cannot recommend this enough if you are in need of some “me” time. There’s a huge feeling of accomplishment once your done and you walk back into the world with a healthier and more positive mindset. I call it therapy!
2. Walking
Walking is a form of cardio that is not given enough credit. If you are walking with intention, instead of taking a stroll, do you know that most individuals are at a fat burn heart rate? Yes! So, for however long you are on that walk you are using stored body fat as your energy source. Pretty awesome, right?! Go get out there for that walk and know that you are burning those fat stores.
3. Running
Whether it’s a trail run or on the treadmill, running is amazing. If you have never been on a trail run, but are curious to try one out, there are a couple of things you should look for. Look for a trail that is mainly flat with very few hills, this will be easier on your body and for your stamina. Also, search for a trail with a beautiful view, it helps to keep your mind off of what your body is feeling and is always good for the soul. Not into nature? A treadmill gets the same job done and you can be comfortable with the AC blowing on you your entire run. Remember: running is not for everyone and that’s okay! Don’t feel like in order to do cardio you have to run because there are SO many other options.
4. Biking
Whether on a stationary bike or just biking around where you live, it’s a great way to burn some calories that doesn’t take as much of a toll on the body. Biking is also an option that you could take far, you can see many more miles on the same amount of energy needed for a shorter run. It’s up to you!
5. Kayaking
If you live next to a body of water, this is a cardio exercise must-try and so much fun! Kayaking can be a total butt kicker or a super casual outdoor activity, it’s up to you and what you want to make of it. If you push yourself, you will feel this workout all over your upper body once your done. Be a little daring and try this exercise out, I promise you won’t regret it.
6. Swimming
For individuals that have achy joints, arthritis, or any other type of injury, swimming may be the perfect answer for you. It’s a lot easier on the body but still gets that heart ticking and burns calories. Let’s also not forget that it’s a lot cooler to be in a pool!
7. Zumba or a HIIT class
Zumba is a latin dance/fitness class and HIIT (high intensity interval training) is a strength training/cardio combination class. These classes are commonly offered at most gyms and fitness studios. Unfortunately, neither are open during this quarantine, however, there are several virtual classes offered online. Regardless of which class you choose to complete, both burn lots of calories and can offer a super fun workout due to being in a group atmosphere. Fun fact: I burn 350 calories during my 45 minute Zumba class! That’s almost as much as I burn during my 3 mile runs, crazy right?! Give it a shot.
8. Elliptical
This is an obvious cardio exercise, but is clearly only available to those that have access to this type of machine. The elliptical is a great cardio option for those that experience knee pain or have experienced a knee injury. This is due to the consistent circular movement while completing this exercise that does not put too much pressure on the knee. Pro tip: if you’d like to get some reading in while doing some cardio, this is the exercise for you.
Are you looking for a strength training workout on top of your cardio workouts?
Check out my strength training workouts.
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