Running is a highly effective way to burn calories, yet many people simply hate to run. Running is physically demanding. It can be jarring to injury-prone joints. Besides the physical difficulty, running can be boring. Running on a treadmill is monotonous. One foot in front of the other.
However, a hatred for running is not an excuse to skip cardio exercises. Studies have shown that cardio workouts are an excellent way to burn calories and lose weight. Regular cardio workouts are also an effective way to improve your cardiovascular health, relieve stress and boost self-confidence. Because there are so many different cardio workout variations, even those who hate running can find something they enjoy. Here are a seven cardio workouts for the running averse.
- Hiking
For those who have access to trails, hiking is an excellent workout. Hiking across rough terrain, uphill or while carrying a heavy pack increases the number of calories burned. Hiking offers beautiful landscapes and many find it a relaxing way to retreat from the busyness of daily life.
- Swimming
If injuries or joint soreness prevents you from running, swimming might be a good alternative. Swimming laps is safe on the joints while still providing an excellent way to calories.
- Boxing
Boxing is a great way to burn fat. Throwing punches at a moderate pace will burn calories quickly. Boxing is a workout that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: find a group class if you enjoy working out with friends, or hit a heavy bag if you prefer to exercise alone.
- Dance
Dance workouts like Zumba are popular for a good reason: they’re fun! Need a high energy, group atmosphere to get you motivated? A dance workout class might be the perfect cardio workout for you.
- Rowing
The rowing machine is often ignored at the gym. But rowing is an excellent way to burn calories fast. The rowing machine uses your arm, back and leg muscles with low impact on your joints. Keep the resistance low on the machine for fast repetitions. Or increase the resistance to focus more on strength and less on cardio.
- Biking
Like hiking, riding a bike is another excellent workout for those who enjoy the outdoors. Biking is also lower impact on your joints than running. Prefer to stay inside for your workout? Try a stationary bike. There are plenty of gyms that offer classes utilizing stationary bikes. These classes can be extremely challenging. And for those who enjoy a fun group workout will appreciate the high energy atmosphere.
- High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.)
High Intensity Interval Training, or H.I.I.T., is a new fitness trend that has proven to be highly effective in burning calories. This is a great option for those who want variety in their workouts or for those who want the maximum calorie burn in a short period of time. The idea behind H.I.I.T. workouts is that you perform a high effort exercise for a short period of time followed by a low effort exercise for a short period of time. This repetition is repeated and workouts can be varied. For example, sprint for 30 seconds, jog for 30 seconds, etc. H.I.I.T. workouts are easily customizable and perfect for every fitness level.
There are no good excuses for avoiding cardio exercise. And you don’t have to be a runner to enjoy the many benefits that cardio workouts have to offer.