There’s more to cardio than tedious
treadmills. Here’s how to get a heart pumping fitness fix with a side of fun
What lights your fitness fire? We’re
willing to bet it isn’t long slogs on the treadmill or stationary bike. The
good news is, there’s a whole host of ways to get your cardio fix that don’t
involve spending a mind-numbing hour watching the clock.
If the thought of cardio leaves you cold,
it’s time to sack off those boring machines for good! Check out our favorite
ways to get a heart-pumping, endurance-building boost.
You want to feel good...
Try dancing
Anyone who’s hit the dance floor on a
Saturday night knows throwing shapes can leave you gasping for breath. ‘Not
only do dance routines raise your heart rate safely and keep it elevated, but
it’s creative, fun and makes you smile,’ says Strictly Come Dancing’s Natalie
Lowe. ‘Pl us, there are so many styles. The variety and fun factor make dance a
great option.’ Fancy learning some ballroom? Try Natalie’s new Fitsteps class
at Everyone Active centers (everyoneactive.com) later this year. Too shy? Dance
like no one’s watching in your bedroom!
Try
dancing
You want some company...
Try badminton
Training with a partner is a great way to
stay motivated, so a social sport like badminton is ideal. Since you’re focused
on the game (and winning, of course!), you won’t even realize how hard you’re
pushing yourself. ‘The focus is on getting the shuttle over the net and winning
points so it’s great if you have a short attention span as you won’t notice the
time passing,’ says badminton coach Amanda Ellison. ‘It works your whole body
as it involves running, lunging and jumping as well as hitting the shuttle. The
distraction of having a racket in your hand and a shuttle to follow means you
move naturally.’
Training
with a partner is a great way to stay motivated, so a social sport like
badminton is ideal.
You want a laugh...
Try hooping
Remember how you could go for hours
spinning a hula hoop as a kid? It was just considered a bit of fun back then,
but hooping is a really effective way to get your heart pumping. Switching from
hooping around different parts of your mid-section as well as the arms and legs
mixes it up and keeps boredom at bay, too. ‘Hooping was fun when we were
children, and it’s still fun now!’ says hula hoop artist Anna Drury
(annathehulagan.com). ‘Unlike other cardio workouts, hooping gets you fit while
increasing coordination and strength. You can do it with friends in the park,
while watching the TV or to your favorite music!’
Remember
how you could go for hours spinning a hula hoop as a kid?
You want fast results...
Try rebounding
Rebounding is the go-to workout for people
suffering from joint problems thanks to its low-impact effect, but bouncing on
the mini trampoline boosts cardio like you wouldn’t believe, too. Zoe McNulty
leads GymBox’s Rave class, which involves letting loose to disco music on
rebounders, and she says it’s the perfect way to get your heart pumping.
‘Rebounders create weightlessness at the top of the jump and twice the G-force
at the bottom of the bounce,’ she explains. ‘NASA has done extensive tests that
claim it’s 68 per cent more efficient than jogging! It strengthens the
cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, which increase your fitness and boost
your immunity.’
Try
rebounding
You want to learn a skill...
Try Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Keeping your heart rate high is a must when
working your cardiovascular system, so a sport that keeps you working, such as
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is perfect. The grappling martial art is gaining
popularity, and looking at the shape its competitors are in, it’s no wonder.
‘From beginning to end, you’re constantly moving,’ explains Pippa Granger, a
Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and competitor. ‘You’ll get a fantastic
full-body workout while learning to defend yourself and having a lot of fun!’
It’s crucial to enjoy the exercise you do if you want to get the most out of
it. ‘When I’m bored, I end up doing less work,’ says Pip pa. ‘With Brazilian
jiu-jitsu, you’re always learning something new. Sometimes I find myself so
busy concentrating on my technique that the lesson flies by. There’s always
something to learn no matter how long you’ve been training, so you’ll never get
bored.’
Keeping
your heart rate high is a must when working your cardiovascular system, so a
sport that keeps you working, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is perfect.
You want more excitement...
Try kickboxing
If it’s the monotony that puts you off
doing cardio exercise, a little danger might be just what you need to spice
things up. Kickboxing or Thai boxing will elevate the excitement factor as well
as your heart rate as you learn to jab, hook, duck and roundhouse kick. ‘Thai
boxing is great fun because each session is different,’ says world champion
Thai boxer Iman Barlow. And plenty of variety is sure to make your regular
cardio shift a lot more interesting. ‘Doing pad work is a whole-body workout,
improving both cardio and strength at the same time,’ says Iman. ‘The more you
push yourself, the better your results.’ As you improve you’ll have the option
to spar with a partner, but it’s not compulsory. So if you’re worried about
getting hurt, stick to the pad work.
Kickboxing
or Thai boxing will elevate the excitement factor as well as your heart rate as
you learn to jab, hook, duck and roundhouse kick.
