Different Cardio Workouts

[neoravencroft]

Trying to be fit is not possible without cardio. Yes, the dreaded "cardio" work that everyone cringes over. People get psyched over martial arts drills and pumping iron, but when it comes to cardio the first word on most everyone's mind is "#@&!"

I'm one of those types that doesn't like cardio. I think it's my association of cardio with "running" is what I hate about it because running is the first thing that comes to mind for me. My 6 years in the US Army made me realize that I HATE running. Mainly because I find it just boring.

So for all you fitness gurus on the forum, do you have any alternative cardio workouts that you do? I need to lose a tremendous amount of weight.

[Bulltahr]

Circuit training...........................................................

[JR 137]

Circuit training, weight lifting at a faster pace (single set, right into a different exercise, repeated 3 or 4 times), and stuff like that. I hate cardio too. Bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, etc. all bore me to death. Intervals on a treadmill are ok once in a while to change things up.

I actually want to try cardio kickboxing, only caveat is that it has to be heavy on hitting bags. The only "cardio" that I enjoy is kumite. Or playing sports like soccer or basketball. I'm awful at basketball though.

Once my tenants move out and get their garbage out of my basement, first thing I'll do is hang a heavy bag. Got it picked out and waiting in my Outslayer shopping cart.

[Nidan Melbourne]

You don't have to run to work cardio. Any exercise that you perform at a higher intensity can be considered Cardio as well.

Circuit Training is great as it keeps you interested, as long as you work hard and not slack off.

Like JR 137 said, he wants to do cardio kickboxing. It works the heart really well but also works on fighting stuff.

I cannot stress enough, go see an Exercise Physiologist or an Exercise Scientist as they can program a lot of amazing stuff to help you lose weight along with cardio work.

Strength Training burns more calories than Cardio training along. So you can alternate between a Strength exercise (Say a back squat) and an a cardio exercise (say a resistance band and have a partner).

[DWx]

I don't have enough patience to do most "traditional" cardio. Running or jogging does nothing for me mentally and it's hard to keep going when my heart's not in it. I enjoy swimming and cycling more but again feel you need longer sessions to really reap the benefits.

I tend to go down the HIIT route. Tabatas and sets of push ups, sit ups, dips, burpees etc. Or skipping. Or hill / shuttle sprints.

[Spartacus Maximus]

It is not necessary to do anything specifically for cardio. There are many other ways to train cardio that are not the usual jogging or skipping rope. To work cardio, all that is necessary is increasing the rhythm and intensity. This is easily applicable to any simple solo drill.

For example, one could try a punch and kick combination as many times as possible nonstop for 3minutes at maximum speed and intensity while moving around the perimeter of the dojo. It is much harder than it sounds and guaranteed to work cardio. Creativity is the key and imagination the only limit.

[JR 137]

You don't have to run to work cardio. Any exercise that you perform at a higher intensity can be considered Cardio as well.

Circuit Training is great as it keeps you interested, as long as you work hard and not slack off.

Like JR 137 said, he wants to do cardio kickboxing. It works the heart really well but also works on fighting stuff.

I cannot stress enough, go see an Exercise Physiologist or an Exercise Scientist as they can program a lot of amazing stuff to help you lose weight along with cardio work.

Strength Training burns more calories than Cardio training along. So you can alternate between a Strength exercise (Say a back squat) and an a cardio exercise (say a resistance band and have a partner).

I've seen some cardio kickboxing. There's huge variation between gyms. I don't want to mix the Jane Fonda workout with tapping a Wavemaster standing bag. I want to hit stuff hard for the majority of the time, and break that up with push-ups, squat thrusts/burpees, medicine balls, etc. Hardcore cardio kickboxing, not the Billy Blanks stuff or stuff I see being "taught" at the YMCA to the 60 year old ladies.

Maybe I'll develop my own program and sell DVDs. Now to find the motivation and follow through...

[yamesu]

Try Kettlebell cardio!

That stuff is amazing, and is a whole body cardio/endurance/resistance workout

[JR 137]

Join a rec dodgeball league for some intense cardio. Or basketball, etc. I hate treadmills and the like.

[sensei8]

Well, my lower back went out AGAIN last night; very painful!! What kind of cardio can someone like me endure??