6 Alternative Cardio Workouts to Running
I have a certain respect for people that enjoy running. Those people that choose to run purely for fun, not just for exercise. I am not one of those people. I will only run to get in some daily cardio or to get some excess energy out of my system. Exercise is always more enjoyable when we are able to do it in new and different ways. While running can seem like the quick answer to exercise, it can also be bad on our knees or other joints. So what are some other exercises that might give us the same sensation as a “running high”?
1. Cycling
A good alternative to running, cycling can allow you to improve your fitness indoors or outdoors. This workout can also take stress off of your back, shins, ankles, and knees. A top-notch cardio workout, one hour cycling can burn up to 400 calories. It is perfect for strengthening your lower body.
2. Zumba
A fun alternative exercise, zumba is the perfect workout to show off your best dance moves. Zumba feels less like a workout and more like a dance class with a high intensity atmosphere. Zumba can help improve cardiovascular fitness, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and can melt belly fat.
3. Pilates
One of the less intense workouts on this list, pilates is still a great way of staying healthy and maintaining a healthy weight. Pilates burns less calories than traditional cardio workouts, like running. It can help strengthen muscle tone and muscle control, and it can help the stabilisation of the spine.
4. Swimming
A 30 minute workout is all it takes to get the most out of swimming. Another great way to lose calories, swimming can help you drop pounds all over. Because water supports 90 percent of body weight, swimming allows a cardiovascular workout that is not hard on the body. It is also a great way to guard against heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
5. Rowing
Rowing is a perfect full-body workout that uses all of the major muscle groups. While rowing burns a similar amount of calories as running, it uses more muscles. By rowing 30 minutes a day, tone improvement can be seen. This is a good workout if you want to improve your back, shoulders, abs, and arms.
6. Step Aerobics
Step Aerobics is a great high-intensity workout that does not put the same stress on your joints like running. A great way to lose calories and maintain a great body weight. Step Aerobics is a great way to build strength, reduce fat, and boost your cardiovascular health. It is also great fun.
