If you’re reluctant to add cardio to your workout routine because running is tough (and boring), this post is for you. You’ll find fun ways to do cardio without jumping on a treadmill or jogging around your neighborhood.
Not to worry, we won’t be sharing “serious” cardio workouts like Tabata, circuit training, and HIIT. This post contains effective cardio workouts that don’t feel like exercises, which you will actually have fun doing. Let’s dive in.
7 Fun Cardio Workouts Ideas That Aren’t Running
(Almost) everyone hates cardio. That’s because they think they have to run miles on a treadmill to do cardio. Here are some fun ideas besides running to add cardio to your workout routine.
- Cardio yoga is a thing to try
Most people don’t know, but yoga can be more than just breathing and relaxing. Some yoga styles can give you a moderate-intensity cardio workout. And, you’ll have fun too, laughing at yourself as you fall out of poses and try again to master them.
Cardio yoga involves dynamic movements and poses that challenge your muscles and increase your heart rate. Some yoga cardio routines you should try include the sun salutation, the twisting chair pose, and the child’s pose pushup.
- Dance your heart away
Not only is cardio dancing fun, but the energetic movements will get your heart racing away. As you move to the rhythm of the upbeat music, you’ll get a great cardio workout that will burn fat, strengthen your core, and improve your flexibility.
So, try to do some dance moves in between your exercise routine. Or, even better, party your way to fitness by joining fitness classes like Zumba, barre and cardio dance. You can check out YouFit Gyms’ dance classes here.
- Jump rope to your fav playlist
Remember how fun jumping rope was in grade school? Or, you didn’t join in? Well, you can have that much fun and get an effective cardio workout. In fact, a study reported that skipping for ten minutes daily is just as effective as jogging for 30 minutes.
So, put on your headphones and jump to the beat of your favorite workout songs. You can also add stylish variations like hopping from side to side and alternating your feet. Remember to keep your elbows close as you jump to maintain balance.
- Box your trainer or a bag
It may not seem like it, but boxing can leave you out of breath. Whether you’re kickboxing with your personal trainer or boxing a punching bag, you’ll get an intense cardio workout.
When boxing, you need speed and coordination to shuffle, jab, cross, kick and dodge your opponents, which gets your heart pumping. Also, having to keep your arms up and throw kicks works your upper and lower body.
- Take a bicycle ride to nowhere
To be clear, we mean join a spin class to cycle on a stationary bike. This will provide you with a high-intensity cardio workout that will get you sweating buckets. And, with a motivating instructor and pumping music, you’ll have lots of fun doing it.
A typical spin class includes a series of sprints followed by a cool-down period. This increases your heartbeat and keeps it pumping hours after the class. Also, it’s a great way to work out with a friend at the gym.
- Bounce on a trampoline
It’s not just child’s play. No rule says only kids can bounce on a trampoline. You can bounce too, and you’ll burn serious calories while at it. It’d also help improve your balance and mobility, as well as lift your mood.
To get an effective cardio workout out of it, don’t just bounce up and down. Also, perform jumping jacks, cross kicks, side twists and other body exercise moves. You can buy a compact trampoline or find one at a gym near you.
- Try weighted hula hooping for adults
Yes, we’re on a roll with the throwback kids’ activities. Sorry, not sorry. Swirling a weighted hula hoop around your waist is an effective way to add cardio to your workout routine. You’ll also have a good time.
Hula hooping requires you to move constantly, which challenges your cardiovascular system to burn calories. In fact, you can burn about 165 calories (women) to 20 calories (men) in a 30-minute hour hula hoop session, according to a Mayo Clinic doctor.
How To Add Cardio To Your Workout Routine
Now that you have other cardio options besides running, here’s how to add any of them to your workout routine.
- Do Cardio Before & After Workout Session
You can use cardio workouts like jump rope as a warm-up exercise before starting your workout session, and as a finisher afterward. This is particularly great when strength training, and would help you get the most out of weight lifting.
- Do Cardio Between Workout Sets
You can mix cardio workouts between your workout sets to make your routine more challenging. Also, cardio workouts like bouncing on a trampoline will make your workout session more fun.
- Schedule Days To Do Cardio Exercises
You can add cardio exercises to your workout routine by scheduling days for cardio only. For instance, you may set aside one day a week to join fun group cardio workouts like Zumba, cardio yoga or a spinning class.
Stop Making Excuses For Not Doing Cardio
Yes, yes, you don’t like running. Well, you have other options to add cardio to your workout routine besides running. And, the fun ideas shared in this post are effective and will get your heart pumping and calories burning.
Ready to add cardio to your workout routine? Sign up to receive your 3-day free pass to try these fun cardio workouts at a YouFit Gym near you!
