How to Choose the Best Cardio Workout

Source: How to Choose the Best Cardio Workout

There's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to finding the "best" cardio workout, but with a little research, you can determine the right cardio workout for your needs. If you're ready to stick to your fit game plan once and for all, take the following points into consideration.

Be honest about injuries: For anyone brand-new to a cardio program, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the most suitable options. If your knees or hips have given you issues in the past, your doctor might explain that a low-impact workout is best. Take their advice to heart and understand that training for a marathon may not be the best at this time. If you have any concerns whatsoever, be sure to consult your physician before you start anything new.

Get real about your goals: Is this just about getting your heart pumping every day? Are you trying to take off a significant amount of weight? Long-term health goals will inform your cardio choices. Someone who wants to improve their heart health will benefit from working out at a steady pace, but this alone won't make pounds fly off the scale. The best workouts for weight loss typically include some form of interval training, alternating between periods of pushing your body to the max and rest periods. Try a Tabata workout that burns a ton of calories for an effective workout for weight loss.

Shop around: When you're a beginner, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't try a bunch of different classes. There's no reason to commit all your time and energy to just one kind of cardio workout from the start. If there's any workout that has piqued your interest, try it! Someone with two left feet might find their inner dancer in a Zumba class, while someone who has never been aggressive might find a match in kickboxing. You just won't know until you try.

Find something you enjoy: When all is said and done, it will be easier to commit to a weekly cardio routine that you actually enjoy doing. In the beginning, everything will be a little tough, but as the weeks pass and you stay on track, you should be looking forward to your workout time - not dreading it. If you find yourself loathing the hours you're putting in working out, it's time to switch things up.


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