Conquer Your Cardio

Cardio, for many of us, is like our Creepy Uncle at Thanksgiving: no matter how much you wish otherwise, you can’t avoid eye contact forever. You know cardio is good for you, you know your fitness goals depend on it, and yet… you suddenly remember your fridge needs reorganizing every time you think about lacing up your shoes.

But here’s the truth: we can only dodge cardio for so long. Cardio, AKA aerobic exercise, includes any intentional, coordinated physical activities that raise your heart rate for an extended period of time. A cardio workout will have you breathing faster than usual for an extended period of time, which means more oxygen for your heart to pump throughout your body, and therefore, more exercise for your heart. 

Cardio exercise isn’t only great for stamina and respiratory health—it can also help lower resting blood pressure and heart rate. These can have long-lasting prevention effects, increasing blood flow and decreasing chances of stroke, improving memory and thinking ability, combating a decline in brain function with age, and protecting your brain against developing Alzheimer’s disease. In other words, in the future you are begging you to do a little cardio now.

But here’s the catch: getting into cardio shouldn’t feel like torture. Unless you’re training for a marathon—or fleeing a bear—you don’t have to force yourself into running if you hate it. There are so many cardio options that don’t require suffering. When you find a kind of movement that’s actually fun, consistency becomes so much easier.

Traditional Cardio Options

Think running, biking, hiking, or power-walking—classic choices that are great for people who love being outside and want to feel their workout immediately. Traditional cardio often brings quick progress, which is incredibly motivating.

The downside? It can feel intimidating if you don’t naturally enjoy cardio. These workouts can contribute to gym anxiety, especially if they feel “hard” right from the start. The upside is that many people find a bigger mental payoff from completing something that feels challenging, which can help them stick with it long-term.

Low-Impact Cardio

If you deal with joint pain, shin splints, or simply prefer something gentler, low-impact cardio is a gem. Swimming, walking, yoga, aqua aerobics, and machines like the elliptical or rower all offer powerful cardiovascular benefits—without the pounding that can come with traditional cardio. Low-impact doesn’t mean low-results.

High Intensity Interval Training

If starting a run is easy but finishing one feels like a tragic personal saga, HIIT might be your sweet spot. HIIT involves short bursts of higher-intensity exercise paired with longer periods of low or moderate intensity. The high-intensity sections usually mean pushing your heart rate to about 70% of your max (roughly 220 minus your age), then easing off before ramping up again.

HIIT delivers many of the same benefits as steady-state cardio—minus the monotony. It can also boost your metabolic rate for hours after you’re done, meaning you’ll continue burning calories long after you’ve collapsed on the mat in triumph.

CrossFit

At the end of the day, the “best” cardio is the kind you’ll actually do—and maybe even look forward to a little. Whether that’s a brisk walk, a swim, a HIIT circuit, or something that involves minimal risk of being chased by imaginary bears, you have options. If you’re still not sure where to start, try a CrossFit-style class. They blend cardio, strength, and community energy in a way that makes the whole sweaty ordeal feel… weirdly fun. And who knows—you might even find yourself coming back for more.

Ready to work with people who understand you and your fitness needs? Sign up for a free trial today!