10 Ways to Make Your Cardio More Fun.

If you’re not careful, cardio can be one of the most boring things on the planet. Consider how mind-numbing an hour of low-intensity cycling, jogging, or using the elliptical machine can be.

But what if there was a way to make cardio more enjoyable? Check out the suggestions below to see if you can’t breathe new life into your workout.

1. Bring the Dog

Your dog, like you, requires exercise, and you’ll be surprised at how much Fido enjoys running alongside you. Take him to a nearby running trail instead of letting him run wild at the dog park. It’s a great way for both of you to get some exercise.

2. Make Use of Heavy Ropes

You’ve never lived if you’ve never used heavy ropes! Heavy ropes make you feel like a ribbon dancer while shredding your muscles and getting your heart rate up. They’re a nice change of pace.

3. Go HIIT

Reduce your treadmill time by increasing the intensity of your run with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Rather than jogging for 45 minutes, alternate four minutes of jogging with one minute of sprinting. You’re done if you repeat that cycle three or four times.

4. Hill/Stair Sprints

Do you want to test yourself and see how far you can go? Try sprinting up several flights of stairs or climbing a nearby hill. You’ll not only be running at top speed, but you’ll also be climbing at an angle. In no time, your heart will be pounding like a war drum. Furthermore, this is an excellent way to burn a large number of calories in a short period of time.

Swings with Kettlebells

Kettlebells are great for working out because they have heavy weights that get your heart pumping and your muscles burning. Kettlebell swings work out your entire body and provide an excellent cardio workout.

6. Rope Jumping

Instead of focusing on your legs or glutes on the elliptical, grab a jump rope and show your calves some love. Set a timer for 10 minutes or 200 jumps and see which you can complete first.

7. Walk

Walking may appear to be cardio for quitters, but it is actually a good exercise to do on your recovery day. Increase the incline and push yourself to walk at about 4 mph for a great workout.

8. Paintballing/Laser Tag

This is a lot more enjoyable than a typical cardio workout. You’ll be sprinting around a paintball field or charging through a laser tag maze, which is sure to get your heart rate up. Time will fly by, and you’ll be working up a sweat in no time.

9. Martial Arts

Practice any of dozens of martial arts to kick ass and get a great cardio workout. Karate, taekwondo, and kung fu are the most popular. And if you’re coordinated enough to do Brazilian Capoeira, you’ll be sweating profusely.

10. Dance to the Music

Instead of using the treadmill, go for a run in the park. Set your iPod to “Shuffle” mode and run along to the music. Jog on slower songs, walk on ballads, and hit it hard on EDM and hard rock. You’ll feel like a rock star by the end of the workout.