4 Great Cardio Workouts

4 Great Cardio Workouts

1. Running
Running is one the simplest exercise to do which is very effective too. Running only requires shoes, and even then, don’t spend more than $80 on a pair of running shoes. If you are spending more than $80, you are simply paying for the name brand and not the quality or feature of the shoe. Running will help you burn serious calories, especially if you add hills and sprints to your routine. Do not get discouraged if you are not a natural runner, it takes time to build stamina and to add distance. If you don’t have much running experience or are not in great physical shape, start with a 1 mile run/jog. Each week add a bit more distance. Also, if possible avoid running on a treadmill or concrete as it can cause knee and ankle injury. If there is a high school or college track available, try running there for the most comfort.

2. Bicycling
Do it outdoors or indoors, cycling provides a great cardio workout. As with running, try and cycle outdoors to get the most benefit. Outdoors will naturally have hills and fresh air to help keep you going. Using all the power in your legs, you’ll increase endurance while burning lots of calories, anywhere from 250-500 in 30 minutes, depending on your speed and your resistance power.

3. Walking
Walking is a great natural exercise, burning about 180 calories in 30 minutes. Addition of hills, sprints or even a few minutes of jogging will only increase the amount of calories you burn. Make sure you walk briskly and keep you head up, back straight and swing your arms to achieve the maximum benefits.

4. Swimming
Swimming is an exercise for the entire body. Keep in mind swimming will be one of the more difficult of the cardio workouts because it does in fact use your entire body all at the same time. The more body parts you involve in your workout, the more calories you’ll burn. With just 30 minutes of breast stroke will help you shed 400 calories. Best advantage is that your joints are fully supported so you need not worry about high-impact injuries. If you join a gym, check to see if they have a pool first, this will allow you to swim no matter the season.