If you want to get in shape and burn fat while working out, then you should know by now that nothing burns fat like a good cardio session.
The main problem when doing cardio people often get bored doing the same repetitive movements over and over again. The good news is that there are many ways to get your daily dose of cardio while not getting bored; here are 10 different cardio workouts that are fun and will really burn calories.
Rollerblading for weight loss
We bet your eyes opened up when we mentioned rollerblading as it is fun and a great workout that will also tone your thighs and butt. Make sure that when you are rollerblading that you use the proper rollerblading technique as poor technique can lead to knee problems. So get outside and find a nice smooth road to start your rollerblading cardio workout.
Play Soccer to burn those calories
Get a group of friends together and start a soccer game. Soccer is an excellent way to lose weight as it involves both long distance running and sprinting (hopefully to a goal). Make sure you are wearing the proper footwear and warmup for a good 10 minutes before the game as not to pull a thigh muscle or your groin (a common soccer injury). Best yet, soccer can be played both outdoors as well as indoors, so even a rainy day can’t hamper a good soccer game.
Cycling – safe cardio for the knees
Cycling and mountain biking are excellent ways to get an effective cardio workout while protecting your joints as there is no impact (as in running). A great benefit of cycling is that you can enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air while biking hard. Make sure to always wear a bicycling helmet just in case you end up taking a fall, and always take a water bottle with you to stay hydrated during your exercise routine.
Swimming – a total body workout
If you can swim, then the question is why aren’t you swimming to lose weight. Swimming is an excellent total body workout that is sure to raise your heart rate and burn a ton of calories. As with any exercise, make sure to take the first few laps slow as to warm up your shoulders, and then go full out switching between different strokes to target all your muscle groups. Try not to eat too much after swimming as you may feel really hungry.
Rowing – a great workout for burning calories
You have probably seen rowing done at the Olympics or even at your local university, but you should know that rowing is an effective weight loss exercise and a great form of cardio. Try the rowing machine at your gym, or better yet join your local rowing club as it is not only a good form of exercise it is a great way to meet new people as well.
Ultimate Frisbee – true outdoor fun that is fitness orientated
If you haven’t tried ultimate Frisbee than you need to as it is one of the most entertaining workouts you will ever have. The rules of ultimate Frisbee are easy; it’s like American football, but without tackling and using a Frisbee instead of a football. You will notice that you are going to have a huge smile while you are sweating your butt off (literally). Try making a weekly ultimate Frisbee meeting with your friends; they will be sure to come out and lose weight with you.
Tennis – build speed and an awesome serve
Tennis has been known to burn up to 650 calories an hour and is a challenging and social way to workout. Remember to start slow as not to develop tennis elbow or sprain your ankle as well as make sure to wear a pair of tennis shoes as they will help protect you from injury. Tennis is a great way to cross-train as there is a lot of stop and go motion as well as sprinting and power bursts trying to hit the ball as hard as you can.
Windsurfing for exercise
If you are lucky enough to live near a lake, the sea or an ocean, then try out windsurfing as it is easy to learn, extremely fun and a hard workout which will help you lose weight and build a muscular back, stomach and arms. Always remember to wear a life vest and proper sunscreen to make sure you are safe while out at sea.
Hiking – enjoy nature and fitness at the same time
If you like the great outdoors then hiking is an excellent way to enjoy going out while getting some exercise at the same time. Make sure to always plan out your hiking route as not to get lost and to use a proper pair of hiking boots to keep your feet and ankles from being injured.
Hiking is a low intensity workout by nature, but you can increase the intensity of your hike by hiking uphill or increasing the pace that you are hiking at. Hiking will help build up your legs, especially your calves, so make sure to stretch after a good hike to keep you calves from cramping up.
Skiing – Burn fat at the slopes
Skiing is an outdoor pastime enjoyed by millions of people a year, it is also a great winter workout as well. Try skiing on medium skill runs as this will really help you develop strong legs and core muscles. Before you hit the ski hill, make sure you are properly dressed to avoid getting frostbite and avoid unnecessary injury. One of the best parts of skiing is it is like an adventure, where the only thing you should be concerned with is trying to not strain your face muscles from smiling too much.