Five ways to get your cardio in without running
Lindsay Bridges
| 3 min read
Do you ever cringe when you hear the dreaded word: running? Running is the most popular form of cardio exercise and it seems like everyone is starting to run. It is a common misconception that you have to run to get adequate cardio exercise, this is not the case. For those who don’t enjoy running, there are plenty of ways to get your daily dose of cardio. You can even incorporate some of these exercises into a busy work day!
Here are 5 ways to get your cardio in that don’t involve running:
1. Stairs
Taking the elevator at work seems like an easier task than walking up multiple flights of stairs, but for those who are looking to get some extra cardio in for the day, the stairs are an easy option. Simply taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, helps exercise your heart, lungs and strengthens your lower body as well.
2. Walking
Some people don’t take into account the impact of walking. Many people think that walking doesn’t have the same effect as running, but it can actually be a great form of cardio. To increase your intensity trying walking up hills or alternate your speeds from fast to slow. Even though it is a low-impact form of cardio it is still an effective way to burn calories.
3. Swimming
Just because you don’t sweat doesn’t mean you aren’t having a productive workout. Swimming is a great form of cardio and it involves zero-impact. This is a good exercise for individuals with joint pain or for those who enjoy the water. Swimming works multiple muscles, while burning calories.
4. Tennis
For those who enjoy sports or just want to try something new, tennis is the perfect form of cardio for you. Tennis relies on short bursts of speed , giving a huge boost to your aerobic and cardiovascular fitness. It also helps to build your reflexes and endurance.
5. Power Yoga
When you think of yoga the first thought that might come to mind is relaxation. Some forms of yoga can be relaxing and not very strenuous, but power yoga provides a relaxing setting, with a cardio workout. Power yoga uses basic sequences at an accelerated speed to get your heart rating going and improves flexibility.
Don’t be upset when your next cardio day rolls around. Look at it positively and try something new and exciting, it will make exercising much more enjoyable.
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Photo credit: N.M
