Top 5 Ways to Make Cardio Less Boring
Is it just me, or does time stand still when you’re doing cardio? This form of exercise can certainly drag, which can make it more difficult to sustain as part of a well balanced workout. Luckily, there are a few ways to make it much more interesting AND effective which is doubly awesome.
- 1Do More Interval Training.
Interval training alternates short, intense bursts of activity (i.e. running/sprinting, HIIT workouts) with periods of active recovery in between that is lower in intensity (i.e. walking). When it comes to cardio, there are a million different ways that you can apply intervals to your own workout that are both effective and time efficient. And when you’re thinking about constantly changing up what you’re doing and how intense you’re doing it, this is a sure way to make the time fly. On top of that, the higher the intensity, the less time you need to exercise. For this reason interval training can be done in just 20-30 minutes when done effectively, which could be defined by achieving a target heart rate that is 70-85% of your maximum. Example:Warm up for 5 minutes (light cardio, dynamic stretching).
Jog for 3 minutes, sprint for 30 seconds, walk for 30 seconds, repeat 5x (20 minutes total).
Cool down for 5 minutes (light walk, static stretching).
TOTAL WORKOUT TIME: 30 minutes.
As your endurance improves, lengthen the duration of intense bursts and shorten the duration of active recovery.
- 2
Watch TV.
I will strategically pick my favorite shows or nail-biter, edge-of-your-seat kind of movies and save them for cardio. Those intense, action-packed scenes make me work harder without even realizing it! Another alternative is the never ending rabbit hole of YouTube videos. Find a channel you’re interested in and away you go! There is nothing better than getting so lost in what you’re watching that you forget you’re exercising in the first place.
- 3Make a Great Playlist.
Studies indicate that music can enhance physical performance, and I’m not surprised. Listening to good tunes can boost your mood and your energy while being a great distractor. I have customized workout playlists on my phone that I keep on hand for this reason. Try using Spotify, YouTube, or Sirius XM to put together a list of your favorite motivating songs to zone out to and feel great. If music isn’t your jam, how about a Podcast? Listening to a captivating series can do just the trick as well. - 4Multitask.
I kill two birds with one stone by doing all my social media posts while breaking a sweat on the Stairmaster. There is nothing like being productive while doing the mind and body good! I have also taken business calls, played online Scrabble, replied to emails, texted my friends, or read a book while getting my cardio on. In fact, I find that this is especially productive for certain tasks because of how cardio improves brain function – I tend to be at my highest level of focus, clarity, and concentration during and right after a workout. - 5Make it Fun & Competitive.
My favorite ways to challenge myself while making cardio more enjoyable include doing fitness classes like bootcamp, working out with someone else, getting outside, or creating my own H.I.I.T. circuit that adds a refreshing amount of variety to my cardio routine. All of these strategies can help push your limits and get you out of your comfort zone while passing the time quickly.
Bottom Line: There is plenty you can do to overcome boredom while challenging yourself at the same time. Just be sure that when you find a strategy that works for you, you are mindful of keeping your heart rate between 60-85% of your max for best results.
Top 5 Ways to Make Cardio Less Boring
Is it just me, or does time stand still when you’re doing cardio? This form of exercise can certainly drag, which can make it more difficult to sustain as part of a well balanced workout. Luckily, there are a few ways to make it much more interesting AND effective which is doubly awesome.
- 1Do More Interval Training.
Interval training alternates short, intense bursts of activity (i.e. running/sprinting, HIIT workouts) with periods of active recovery in between that is lower in intensity (i.e. walking). When it comes to cardio, there are a million different ways that you can apply intervals to your own workout that are both effective and time efficient. And when you’re thinking about constantly changing up what you’re doing and how intense you’re doing it, this is a sure way to make the time fly. On top of that, the higher the intensity, the less time you need to exercise. For this reason interval training can be done in just 20-30 minutes when done effectively, which could be defined by achieving a target heart rate that is 70-85% of your maximum. Example:Warm up for 5 minutes (light cardio, dynamic stretching).
Jog for 3 minutes, sprint for 30 seconds, walk for 30 seconds, repeat 5x (20 minutes total).
Cool down for 5 minutes (light walk, static stretching).
TOTAL WORKOUT TIME: 30 minutes.
As your endurance improves, lengthen the duration of intense bursts and shorten the duration of active recovery.
- 2
Watch TV.
I will strategically pick my favorite shows or nail-biter, edge-of-your-seat kind of movies and save them for cardio. Those intense, action-packed scenes make me work harder without even realizing it! Another alternative is the never ending rabbit hole of YouTube videos. Find a channel you’re interested in and away you go! There is nothing better than getting so lost in what you’re watching that you forget you’re exercising in the first place. - 3Make a Great Playlist.
Studies indicate that music can enhance physical performance, and I’m not surprised. Listening to good tunes can boost your mood and your energy while being a great distractor. I have customized workout playlists on my phone that I keep on hand for this reason. Try using Spotify, YouTube, or Sirius XM to put together a list of your favorite motivating songs to zone out to and feel great. If music isn’t your jam, how about a Podcast? Listening to a captivating series can do just the trick as well. - 4Multitask.
I kill two birds with one stone by doing all my social media posts while breaking a sweat on the Stairmaster. There is nothing like being productive while doing the mind and body good! I have also taken business calls, played online Scrabble, replied to emails, texted my friends, or read a book while getting my cardio on. In fact, I find that this is especially productive for certain tasks because of how cardio improves brain function – I tend to be at my highest level of focus, clarity, and concentration during and right after a workout. - 5Make it Fun & Competitive.
My favorite ways to challenge myself while making cardio more enjoyable include doing fitness classes like bootcamp, working out with someone else, getting outside, or creating my own H.I.I.T. circuit that adds a refreshing amount of variety to my cardio routine. All of these strategies can help push your limits and get you out of your comfort zone while passing the time quickly.
Bottom Line: There is plenty you can do to overcome boredom while challenging yourself at the same time. Just be sure that when you find a strategy that works for you, you are mindful of keeping your heart rate between 60-85% of your max for best results.
