Let’s face it. Cardio can be boring. Hours and hours on the treadmill or exercise bike just hoping that the weight will drop off. And in the end we never reach our weight loss goals because the exercise was just too monotonous.
In this post I am going to show you 5 exciting ways to spice up your cardio life. When you find new and stimulating things to do to lose the weight you will be much more likely to succeed.
5 exciting ways to spice up your cardio life
Here are a few different forms of exercise that I have dabbled in over the years. All of them are massive calorie burners. All of them will do more for your waistline than any treadmill or walking group. Be brave and give them a try. Whatever you do, don’t let nerves hold you back from experimenting with these amazing disciplines.
1. Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that is as fun as it is explosive. The movements are made up of high kicks, jumps, flips and cartwheels. It is one of the best forms of exercise out there as it uses your entire body in every single movement.
Another great thing about Capoeira is the fact that it is all done to the melody and beat of some infectious traditional African/Brazilian music. This really gets your heart racing and makes the whole experience a lot more fun. If you are after a new and intense form of cardiovascular workout then this is the class for you.
2. Indoor soccer
A few years ago I joined an indoor soccer team. At first I thought it was going to be a little bit boring but I was dead wrong. Indoor soccer is now the best part of my week. Five friends and I head down to the local club on a Thursday night and play one 30 minute long game. And it is intense. Indoor soccer has you twisting, turning and sprinting back and forth like a mad woman! It truly is one of the best ways to burn some calories whilst having a lot of fun.
3. Day long hikes
If you are a bit of a natural woman then chances are you will love getting outdoors in the open and going for a walk. It doesn’t matter where you live – America, Australia, Europe or Africa – all around the world there are beautiful places to go hiking.
Why not get a few friends together, make some healthy snacks and organize a day long hike in the hills? You will get lots of fresh air and sun and burn some calories whilst recharging your batteries and getting back to the simple things in life. There is nothing like a walk in the fresh air to get you feeling healthy and alive.
Another great thing about hiking is that it does wonders for your calf muscles, thighs and butt. Walking up hills whilst carrying a heavy backpack will leave you sore for days! It is one of the best ways to shape and tone your lower body.
4. Muay Thai kickboxing
When it comes to getting toned, losing weight and shaping up there is no exercise better than kickboxing. This is a true full body workout that will get your heart rate up and your lungs burning. What better way to spice up your cardio life?
Kickboxing originated in Thailand and has now evolved into many different styles and forms. There are the more traditional schools that focus on technique and power and then there are the more modern schools that focus on getting a good cardio workout. Both are good. Both will get you fit and teach you how to defend yourself.
When you go to a kickboxing class expect lots of punching, kicking, kneeing and jumping. Expect to have a lot of fun. I highly encourage all women to put your shyness and nerves aside and try this one out. It will change your exercise life forever. And don’t worry – you don’t have to fight anyone if you don’t want to!
5. Samba lessons
The final idea that I want to throw out there today is one I tried a few months ago expecting to have a nice relaxing workout. Instead what I got was an intense cardio workout that had my whole lower body struggling to keep up.
Samba is a great workout because it requires a lot of fast paced movements with some really excellent music in the background. It is one of those rare forms of exercise where you forget about the hard work you are doing because you are so focused on having fun. After an hour or two of this style of dance you will have burned a heck of a lot of calories and had more fun than you’re ever had at the gym.
Conclusion
If you want to lose weight and stay healthy you need to do cardio. But sometimes running is not enough. Sometimes you need something a little more challenging or a little bit different. If you keep your cardio life exciting and spicy you will be more likely to actually stick to your routine. Take a look around your local community and see what you can come up with. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.