Cardio is hardio!
This is not just a sticker on my water bottle. This is a deep-seated, soul-level truth in my book. No matter what kind I try, whether it be a Zumba or cardio dance class, a high-energy spin class like Soul Cycle, or jump-roping to warm up for a kickboxing session, cardio will never be my favorite kind of exercise.
But that doesn't mean it's not important, or that I can't find ways to enjoy doing it.
If you're a cardio-hater too, you might not believe me. But from one anti-cardio snob to another, I promise to can learn to enjoy it too!
From being a cardio-cry-baby in college, I'm now in my 30s and regularly run, swim, and enjoy the occasional cardio workout. I've even run a few half marathons. No small potatoes for someone who used to fake asthma attacks to get out of gym class on the regular.
So if you, like me, have a deep-seated cardio aversion, keep reading to learn how I made it a fulfilling part of my wellness routine.
First off, wtf is cardio anyway?
"Cardio" is often used as an abbreviation for cardiovascular exercise, meaning it's a type of exercise that focuses on improving your body's ability to get oxygen to your muscles through your blood. It generally targets the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. So, by definition, cardio is a workout that gets your heart pumping faster!
Why is it important? Just like doing bicep curls will make your arms stronger, pumping your heart faster will make your heart stronger! And considering that heart disease is one of the most common health problems we face in the U.S. this is something that many of us need.
Another big benefit of cardio is that it burns a lot of calories, so it can be a key part of your wellness routine if you're seeing to maintain or lose weight.
Why is it so darn hardio?
Well, most of us don't have very active days. Instead of being up walking around, we tend to be seated for most of the day, and this has been going on for a while. Think back to first grade, when all of a sudden instead of wandering around the classroom and playing you were expected to sit. At a desk. All day. Many of us have spent our entire lives from ages 6 and up spending most of our days sitting down, and so our hearts and lungs have gotten pretty out of practice.
How to make cardio enjoyable.
Part 1: Start with what you love. If you dread spending 30 minutes on a treadmill staring at a TV screen in the gym, get your cardio on outside. If running makes your soul cry, try a dance workout instead.
Many people assume that the cardio equipment in the gym is the only way to effectively workout, but that's not the case! You can go for a walk outside, take a dance class, or even go for a relaxing bike ride with friends. If you try to push yourself into a type of cardio right away that you simply don't enjoy, you make it that much harder. So think of what you already enjoy doing and start there.
Oh, and for those of you who don't like ANY type of activity, add it into something you DO like. Go for a short walk before your daily coffee break, or with a close friend. Add in things you enjoy to the experience to make it feel less like work.
Part 2: Go easy If you're new to cardio workouts, allow yourself time to ease into the routine. A great tool to use here is called RPE, or Rate of Perceived Exertion. This means evaluating how hard you feel you are working on a scale of 1-10.
There’s no need to push yourself to run a whole mile your first day out of the gate. Instead, set a goal to keep moving for a certain time, maybe 20-30 minutes, and try to keep your RPE at about a 5-6 out of 10. That might be running a bit, then walking a lot. That’s how I started! Eventually, you’ll be able to move faster for longer without having to push to where you’re breathless.
Another trick is to use the “talking test”. Try to stay at a level of exertion where you could still carry on a conversation, or at least speak in full sentences, throughout your workout. If you notice you’re having a hard time talking, take a break or slow down!
And remember, cardio is hard for all of us, especially if you haven’t done it in a while! Give yourself permission to be a beginner, and take it easy as you build strength and endurance. You got this!