Cardio (alternatives)

[Emma23]

Hey Girls,

I know I can't be the only one that gets bored to death on the treadmill.

What cardio alternatives do you suggest? Anything fun would be great!

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Visagex]

Anything that burns calories

go wild! literally a million options

[Emma23]

Thanks for the reply. I know there are millions of options...I'm not the most coordinated girl in the world. Was just looking to see what other girls do

[melodyjayne]

Dancing, skipping, swimming....

At the gym I mix it up with rower, cross trainer, bike and treadmill

[Ninjasmith]

I love to mix it up with a spin class or cycling (Reeally gets the sweat on) or I pop in a 'Insanity' dvd. I usually stick with running as my main source of cardio, but only because I am in the Army and have to keep my times up (oh and I love it) Also, trail running is hella fun if you ask me.

[BalhamBeast]

I can't stand indoor cardio - makes me feel like a hamster on a wheel. Getting outdoors is the best thing you can do, if you're able to. Run, walk, cycle, hike... I find being surrounded by nature very restorative. I can zone out, enjoy the scenery, daydream a bit. I trained for a half marathon about 18 months ago and actually enjoyed the long runs for that reason. Unfortunately I injured my foot and developed achilles tendonitis so had to stop running. Tried swimming but found I was allergic to the chlorine and also found dealing with a lot of swimmers quite stressful but if you can deal with chlorine and are able to swim when it's less busy then that is also terrific exercise.

I also sometimes do sprints on the rower at the gym. I don't like doing long rows but for HIIT these are great. Also tried spin classes. Again, great exercise but instructors vary a lot and it's a bit hit or miss for me.

[Artemis00]

I can't stand indoor cardio - makes me feel like a hamster on a wheel.

I agree 100% with this regarding cardio equipment at the gym. Hate feeling like a hamster.

I usually only do 1-3 hours of cardio a week. Usually it is 2 hours of grappling (BJJ, Judo, Wrestling) or Kickboxing. Now although I love grappling, I would not recommend that for everyone cause you need to expect that every week you will have bruises and there are opportunites for injuries (I have a few, busted nose a week ago).

But kickboxing is an excellent cardio exercises although I don't recommend the kickboxing cardio classes that they have at some gyms because the form/technique is absolutely awful. I recommend the ones where you either interact with a heavy bag or pads/kickshields. You will get more out of the workout because you will learn proper technique and you can also control the energy you expend because if you find the workout is getting too easy, you can hit the bag faster or harder. Plus it really helps to strengthen your wrists. Plus it is very high intensity.

[SuperQue]

I've actually been a bit bored with cardio lately and decided to look for other options. I found classes at my gym for dancing, kick-boxing, bootcamp, swimming and martial arts. I've tried some of them and they're definitely more fun than jogging on the treadmill for an hour! The time goes by pretty quickly.

So look for any classes in your area that interest you!

[Kemo1990]

and more versatile than a big stupid doodoohead treadmill

[EllenRipley]

Start another sport - I started ballet - it's great combining it with gym. You have many options - climbing, swimming, hot yoga. Or another thing is get an i Phone or i Pad and watch a movie while on the AMT. I don't get bored but I guess I am very used to and I obey myself. You'll be fine!

[SuperQue]

Start another sport - I started ballet - it's great combining it with gym.

Agreed! I did ballet for many many years and the muscle and strength it built up (especially in my legs/calves) is something I'm grateful for.

[GetLowGetFit]

Thanks for the reply. I know there are millions of options...I'm not the most coordinated girl in the world. Was just looking to see what other girls do

I absolutely LOVE hardcore spin class. It kicks my butt so much.

[EllenRipley]

Oh! And smth else! NEVER feel like a hamster on wheel ( I had that too) - imagine you're a superhero or warrior preparing for huge battle!:] Works perfect for me!:] (especially the fantasy of being on a spaceship towards land full of evil aliens)

[grace_ou]

Sled, prowler, sand bag carries, car pulls, hill sprints, cycling, trail running, tire flips.. ropes coarse, obstacle coarse, mudding.. sledge hammer, boxing..

[Botika]

Cardio isn't really necessary if you have a decent lifting routine and monitor your food. I much prefer weights to the boring old treadmill too!

[thehobbes]

At the gym:
-exercise bike
-swimming

Other stuff:
-trail running at the park
-biking at the park on the horse trails and avoiding those stupid park rangers who cry about me doing that lol
-Mega Yard Work Sunday: rake leaves, cut grass, saw down tree branches, generally clean up the yard for a few hours

*EDIT - I've never been on a treadmill in my entire life, srs, looks kinda boring honestly.

[RRV2]

Cardio isn't really necessary if you have a decent lifting routine and monitor your food. I much prefer weights to the boring old treadmill too!

I dread cardio days! I end up being extra strict with my food on these days and doing a little cardio is better than none at all. I enjoy Turbo Fire, some kickboxing at homeDVDs, but I've been thinking about installing a punching bag at home-looks like fun and great cardio.

[awez1]

I hate hate hate the treadmill. I've started using the Stairmaster. If your gym has one, I highly recommend it. For some reason, 15-20 minutes on that thing goes by so fast.

[Emma23]

wow thanks for the advice

[NICKOPATRA]

I'm another who would rather watch the diet than do cardio.
If I HAVE to do it, I'll do hot yoga which gets my heartrate up surprisingly! Also I'll do Turbo Jam or Turbo Fire DVD's or run outside with the dog. Aside from that, I don't rest much during my weight workouts so that's kinda like cardio in itself.

Good luck

[ellybelle]

cardio alternatives, group fitness classes, crossfit, cardio dvds...my fave is Tabata, you can do it with anything box jumps, burpees, moutain climbers, jump rope, sprints...list goes on

[lilramm]

i love some good kickboxing!! also, jumping rope, burpees, stair master, there are so many!

[mrsfleming2177]

Check with your gym and see what types of cardio classes they have to offer like maybe Zumba or a bodypump class. Try using a stair climber or maybe an elliptical.

[Ang123]

Is rowing machine considered cardio? I can't do treadmill or elliptical because of a knee injury. I like rowing and it seems pretty hard, but I've never seen it listed as cardio. I also do recumbant bike which seems to actually rehabilitate my knee. It seems like a good leg workout, but I don't feel like its really cardio. One gym I used to go to had a cross country skiing machine that really got the heart to pumping and made the triceps burn like crazy.

[Hamzzza]

i'd recommend cycling



if you're passionate about lifting and like to push yourself to your limits, you should like this one too

+ being in nature + break PR's (owning higher and higher mountains, getting faster) + better legs + you can drive alone or in groups and have fun either way

[kabochafashion]

I do HIITS on cardio machines for 30 minutes for a quick sweat and then 2 days a week I do a spinning class to mix it up. Such a better work out than the usual one speed run on the dreadmill everyday

[SuperQue]

Cardio isn't really necessary if you have a decent lifting routine and monitor your food. I much prefer weights to the boring old treadmill too!

Agreed!

[BenderFitness]

I do HIIT workouts, and they keep your heart rate up the entire time! Also, jump roping, spinning, cycling....there are so many options!

[happyplace]

Cardio isn't really necessary if you have a decent lifting routine and monitor your food. I much prefer weights to the boring old treadmill too!

With respect, it has benefits for general health. Physique isn't everything and having a respectable aerobic capacity is not a bad thing for everyday life.

[fit4aprincess]

Plyometrics, kick boxing, Zumba/hip hop.. I usually just try and find a fun class at my gym. I love the kickboxing classes