How to Mix Up Cardio Exercise

When doing cardio exercise, it is important to mix up your cardio workouts for two reasons. One, your body gets used to a certain kind of exercise and your weight loss will plateau and two, doing various exercises will keep you from getting bored.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Run or walk on a treadmill. Running on a treadmill can burn a lot of calories, especially running at an incline. Listening to music or watching television is a good way to pass the time when on the treadmill to make exercising easier.
2. Use the elliptical machine for a non-impact workout. The elliptical machine burns a lot of calories without putting pressure and impact on the joints as you do on a treadmill. Also, you are able to work out your arms more effectively on an elliptical.
3. Ride a stationary bike at a medium resistance to work out your leg muscles. The bike is a great non-impact cardio exercise, although it does not burn as many calories as the treadmill or the elliptical machine. You can also go mountain bike riding for an incredible cardio exercise.
4. Do aerobics. Step aerobics burn a lot of calories and are a good workout for the legs, glutes and hips. Dance aerobics and other high-impact aerobics also burn a lot of calories and can work out the whole body.
5. Swim to workout and strengthen the entire body. Swimming is also a good cardio exercise.
6. Cross country ski on a machine or in the snow to work out the upper and lower body.
7. Rock climb to increase arm and leg strength and create a solid cardio workout.
8. Play other sports such as racquetball, basketball, rowing or anything else that will increase the heart rate and keep it up for a period of time.