I’m gonna be pretty honest here, if you see me running you should probably follow because something’s behind me! It is just not my favorite cardio activity personally, and I am very envious of the people who enjoy it! It is a phenomenal form of exercise that I just do not get that kick out of, and because of this I have had to find alternatives to keep my cardiovascular health up! I figured that I can’t be alone, so here are some of the alternatives I happen to enjoy:
Dance
If you’ve been into our office this one will not surprise you, I probably have the happiest feet on the planet. Dance classes are one of my favorite forms of cardio because they combine a social outlet with both mental and physical challenge! Obviously more energetic dance types like salsa and step will give you more burn for your time in and not all forms of dance will be as challenging on your system, but this can definite
ly be worth a go!
Kickboxing
Nothing is quite as cathartic as hitting a heavy bag or some pads! For me this started as a competitive outlet that now I can just keep up with, but there are a variety of gyms and trainers that offer this service (myself included!) to create a more engaging workout! Aside from the physical challenge and stress relief, I really enjoy that boxing and kickboxing workouts allow me to change focus frequently, and my brain can change tasks more often to keep me engaged!
Swimming
We live in Florida, so this one should be a no brainer! Because of the physical resistance water provides and the simple fact that humans lack fins and gills, it takes a lot of physical and caloric effort to move through the water! Pool running, laps, and sprint sets can be a great alternative form of exercise if you enjoy spending time in the water!
Rowing
Speaking of water, never underestimate what a good rowing session can do for you! Whether doing laps on a machine, racing with a crew, or being out on the water in your own kayak, this can be a great way to put some consistent effort in if you keep those paddles moving!
Fencing
While I primarily practice historical and LED fencing, all forms of sword sport from Olympic style to kendo can be an engaging and fun way to keep yourself moving in some very high intensity intervals! Plus, right now this has an important safety bonus: you’re already wearing masks and if anyone tries to get closer than 6 feet you can hit them!
Keeping your heart healthy should be fun! Just keep yourself moving and challenged and you’ll probably find it does you good!
