Although weightlifting is one of the most common types of exercises for men, the truth is that cardio is important, too. In fact, most fitness experts recommend combining weightlifting with cardio. Not sure what to try? Here are some of the best cardio workouts for men.
First, What is Cardio?
Cardio is short for “cardiovascular,” and it is another term to describe aerobic exercise. When you do an aerobic or cardio workout, you have to keep moving the large muscles in your body. They include your legs, arms and hips. This movement raises your heart rate, making you breath deeper and faster. That increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which helps your body learn to use oxygen more efficiently.
Five Cardio Workouts for Men
You can try one of these workouts, or try all five, but remember to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. You want to get the green light before pushing your body to the limit. So, start slowly and work up to a comfortable pace. These are the top five cardio workouts for men to try:
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Running
Running, if you do it at a steady pace, is one of the best cardio workouts for men. It is a great way to burn fat and calories and is easy to start. All you need is a good pair of running shoes and a place to run. Be sure to stretch before you go running and slowly build up to a faster and longer workout.
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Jumping Rope
A jump rope is easy to do while burning a lot of calories. It also helps with foot speed, which is why many boxers jump rope on a regular basis. All you need is a jump rope and some room to move. It is surprising how fast jumping rope can get your heart rate going. As with running, you’ll want to start slowly and build up your stamina.
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Swimming
This is a total-body workout that can help you stay in shape. In fact, you can burn up to 14 calories a minute if you are swimming at a fast pace. Even if you aren’t going all in, you are still fighting gravity, making it a great cardio workout.
And best of all, swimming is one of the most low-impact cardio workouts for men. So, if you have knee or hip problems, swimming is the best exercise for you. You can go as fast or as slow as you need to while building up your strength.
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Sprinting
One of the best cardio workouts for men is sprinting. It burns a lot of calories quickly. If you are looking to drop some weight fast, you should add sprints to your workout regime. Many men like to walk, then sprint for a while, then go back to walking to recover and so on. With sprinting, you can tailor your workout to your fitness level.
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High-Intensity Interval Training
High-intensity interval training, otherwise known as HIIT, can give you the most bang for your buck. Short bursts of intense exercise allow you to continue to burn fat for hours afterward. It boosts your metabolism so you can feel good about the time you put into it, which surprisingly, isn’t a lot.
Though many people think about running when they think of cardio, there are many options available. Jumping rope helps boxers stay in shape. Swimmers are also in great shape because they are fighting gravity in the pool with every stroke. If you are serious about getting in shape, you may want to try sprinting or even HIIT exercises.
The most important factor is to find one of the cardio workouts for men that you enjoy. That way, you’ll stick with it and see results after a while. Also, be sure to change it up every so often so you don’t get bored with your workout routine.