Finding an exercise routine and sticking to it is incredibly challenging, and you’re not alone if you’ve been struggling to make it to the gym. In fact, 67% of people with gym memberships never use them. But what about an exercise routine makes it so difficult to stick to? Many people looking to improve their cardiovascular health through exercise often try the same tired methods: running on the treadmill, using a stationary bike, and so on. Over time, these get boring and can cause people to lose their motivation to work out. Instead, if you’re wanting to work on your cardio, give a few of these exercises a try. It won’t even feel like you’re working out, but you’ll still get all the benefits of routine cardio and then some.
Try Out A Sport
Plenty of adults love to watch sports on television, and even if you know all the rules of the game, you might rarely play it yourself. The five largest sports in the U.S. are football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer, and all of these make for excellent exercise. Next time you’re thinking about checking out the big game on TV, why not get a few friends together to play a round of it for yourselves? You’ll have all the excitement of your favorite sport, plus it makes for a fun get together that keeps you and your friends active.
Get Active With The Family
Finding it hard to make it to the gym because of the busy schedule of parenting? There are still plenty of opportunities for you to fit in your cardio exercise; just start including your family in your plans. Your kids and pets will be glad to have the extra time to get up and moving during the day. After all, most dogs benefit from daily aerobic exercise and a 30-minute walk, and will be more than happy to help you get out of the house more often. Having your family involved can also help add some extra accountability and motivation. You’re more likely to get working on your cardio on a regular basis if your kid gets into the habit and expects to have outdoor play time with you.
Join A Club Or Class
If you’re looking for an opportunity to treat yourself to some time away from the kids and the stress of parenting, use it as a chance to work on your fitness. Plenty of local gyms and clubs have fitness classes that you can use to learn a new activity or make some new friends. There are all sorts of classes for people interested, including everything from yoga to dance to more traditional sports like tennis. This last one is an especially great cardio workout; playing tennis for fun can burn around 169 calories in 30 minutes for a woman. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and check out new activities through local clubs and class offerings. You might just find your new favorite pastime in the process. Just make sure you take the time to wipe down any gym equipment before and after you use it — you don’t want to catch a cold during a good workout!
Sticking to a cardio routine can be a challenge, but some of these activities and suggestions can make it less of a chore. It’s time to ditch the boring treadmill and stationary bike for some more exciting activities. Before long, you’ll be out there with the best of them and working on your cardio on a regular basis. What do you use to improve your cardiovascular health and fitness? What activities make exercise more enjoyable for you?
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