Cardio oh no! Finding what suits you.

Ahh cardio, the dreaded department of keeping fit. I’m not gonna lie that I am one of those people that avoid a cardio session at all costs, I have many reasons for this but my main one is that feeling of being out of breath, sweaty and like you could drink 5 gallons of water. I like to think I’m not alone in this.

Now there is a long list of activities that you do as a cardio workout; running and jogging, spinning and cycling, stepping, skipping, etc. So when I look at that short list I’ve made; you will not find me running, I’ve never had the best knees and I avoid possible damage to them. I won’t get on a bike, those seats are not kind...maybe if I go to Amsterdam. So looking at the list that leaves me with stepping and skipping.

I love stepping! it’s always been my go to cardio workout.

My reasons being:

1- It’s never hurt or strained my knees, I’ve always been able to step with ease.

2- I feel it in my legs and glutes the next day and that’s one of my favourite feelings, the next day burn.

3- Although it does leave me sweaty and short of breath, I am never left feeling strained or like I’m going to pass out.

My new love and cardio friend is Skipping. I am new to it and I am learning about form and different ropes and everything that goes with it. It’s an intense form of cardio but I have so much fun with it, I explore the different techniques and I trip and hit myself with my rope and just laugh and explore. I feel the benefits of the cardio which I will list below, I feel it the next day in my thighs and calves and I know not only have I done cardio but worked my legs. The sweat, the sweat is real and well I do enjoy it....not to you know, sound strange.

I have once a week cardio sessions and that’s on Sunday, my Skipping and Stepping Sunday’s.

Benefits of cardio include: weight loss and fat burning, endurance, heart health and strength, and a greater/happier mood.

Two type of cardio are:

1- aerobic= Needing or using oxygen

2- anaerobic= without oxygen

These I will get into at a later stage but my Suggestion from personal experience is to try as much cardio as you can and find the one that beat suits you and your body. Which exercise or activity leaves you feeling good? Which strains your body? Make pros and cons lists if you need to and explore. Don’t let cardio be dreaded but rather something to look forward to. This is most definitely achieved by trial and error and exploring your own body and mind.

Find what works for you, explore it, hold onto it and enjoy it.

As usual I hope you have gained some insite from this short post and enjoyed the read. Remember to listen to your body and be kind to yourself.

Stay safe.

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