Welcome to the year 2019, where fitness matters more now than it ever has before. It doesn’t matter what weight or shape you are; everybody’s body is completely different and that’s the beautiful part about working out and being “in shape”. We all have different reasons for working our butts off at the gym. Maybe you want to lose a few pounds, maybe you want to tone your muscle mass, or maybe you work out because it feels good and its none of anyone’s damn business why. No matter what reason, or lack of reason that it might be, there is one key ingredient to staying fit, healthy and in shape. Its name is cardio and it’s a bitch. There are a few handfuls of people around the world who enjoy running as a form of cardio and bless them, honestly, good for you, but there’s an even larger group of individuals (ME) who hate to run or some who simply can’t participate in a run due to injury or preventative injury. However, considering cardio is key, we need to get it in somewhere, even if that means running, right? Wrong. There are SO MANY other forms of cardio that will get your heart pumping and burn just as many or even more calories than running will. So hop on a bike, hit up the yoga studio or grab some boxing gloves and get ready to sweat.
My one true love, indoor spin classes. I will say this honestly and whatever you chose to believe is your business, but every single person I have introduced to a spin class has become a diehard fan. Every. Single. Person. Man or woman, they all love it. Now, I’m sure there are a good number of people who hate the idea of sitting on a stationary bike in a dark room with blasting music, and there are probably a good number who have tried it and dislike it and that’s ok, not every workout is for everyone, but if you are someone who hasn’t tried it, it’s worth a shot. You might just fall in love with a brand new cardio workout. Soul Cycle and FlyWheel are two of my personal favorites.
Circuit training is not only a great form of cardio but it’s an excellent way to incorporate light weights as well as body weight into your training routine. Find a class like Barry’s Boot Camp that targets a different sector of the body each day while still focusing on cardio. Burpees might suck, but they undeniably get the job done and you’ll be noticing a change in your body that running could never achieve.
This is actually a really cool concept for a cardio workout and, fortunately, most gyms are stocked with rowing machines, so this workout could easily be done on your own or with a friend. If working out alone isn’t your cup of tea, then you can check out a rowing class where you’ll feel the burn in a few short minutes. SLT is a great workout class that incorporates rowing and is sure to get you toned in no time.
Some would believe that yoga would not classify as a cardio workout, and while that is right in some instances, like relaxation or meditation yoga, it does not apply to power or hot yoga that gets your blood flowing. In a power yoga class, your body is pushed to the limits while using strictly body weight. Through the swiftness of each movement and with the added heat of hot yoga, you can bet you will be sweating more than a run. Yoga Sculpt is a great form of cardio hot yoga that also tones your muscles- CorePower Yoga offers a great class.
Easily the most stress relieving workout on the planet, boxing is a sport that’s been around for decades and it’s understandable why. It takes a lot of focus, dedication, and sweat to make it out alive, but I promise, once you wrap those hands up, slip on the gloves and have a bag in front of you, a boxing class goes by in no time and is a really fun way to get your cardio in. You’ll also look suave as heck doing it.
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