Just because you're doing cardio, that doesn't mean you have to do the same cardio workout day in and out. In fact, doing the same workout will be terrible, because you'll never push your body beyond your current capabilities. If you want to be smart with your cardio training, here are some ways to mix things up:
1. Turn up the treadmill.
Instead of sticking with that 45-minute jog, try a 20-minute HIIT session on the treadmill. Alternate between 90 seconds of walking/jogging and 30 seconds of full-speed sprinting. You'll finish your workout dripping sweat and feeling like a champ!
2. Hit the track.
Get out of the gym altogether and find yourself a running track at a local school, college, or YMCA. You can stick with your simple jogging workout or go for full-intensity sprint training. Heck, get off the track and sprint up and down the bleacher stairs. Outside the gym, there are so many amazing ways to get in a proper cardio workout without relying on a treadmill.
3. Hit a bootcamp.
Bootcamp-style workouts are an amazing choice for those who want to get in shape but are having a hard time staying motivated. With a bootcamp, you have an instructor telling you what to do, and all you have to focus on is getting through the workout. It's much easier than trying to figure out what cardio training to do next, and you may just find having an instructor makes getting in shape much more realistic.
4. Try new things.
Sick and tired of your daily spin workout? Why not take your bike outdoors and cycle around town? Hating your daily treadmill jog? Get out of the gym and go for a walk, jog, or hike around town. Or, consider taking up martial arts, a dance class, yoga, or some other workout that you've never tried before. Variety is the spice of life, and changing up your workout can have a massive impact on your enjoyment.
5. Be more active.
Instead of sticking with your traditional cardio gym workout, why not skip the workout altogether and find more ways to be active in your daily life? Take your dog for a jog or bike ride, run around the park with your kids, walk to and from the supermarket, and climb the stairs in your office. An increase in activity level can have a visible impact on your cardiovascular condition.
6. Tackle those hills.
If you feel you've gotten your basic jogging, running, or cycling workout under control, it's time to up the difficulty by adding in some hill sprints. Incline training will do wonders for your leg and spine muscles, and can kick your cardiovascular conditioning up a couple of notches.
7. Pick up the pace.
Instead of changing up your workout, change up your run or cycle speed. Steady state aerobic training can lull your body into a routine, and you will get comfortable with running or jogging at a certain pace. By speeding up your pace, you push your body to adapt and expand its capabilities.
A few simple tricks, but they can have a visible effect on your cardiovascular conditioning. And isn't that what cardio workouts are all about?
[Image via Shutterstock]
