How to improve your cardio workouts

Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air. As a testament to this affectionate season, we exchange cards adorned with hearts, each carrying sentiments of love and affection. It’s time to consider extending this tradition beyond paper and into the core of your being—the beating heart within. And speaking of matters of the heart, let’s give our hearts and cardio workouts the attention they deserve.

If you’re not in the mood for more Valentine’s Day festivities, don’t worry — your heart still needs all the care and affection you can muster. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our best strategies to improve your cardio workouts.

What exactly is cardio?

Cardio, short for cardiovascular, elevates your heart rate and stimulates the cardiovascular system. Like any muscle, the more you work it, the stronger your heart becomes. 

Beyond burning calories, cardio exercises offer a range of benefits: they improve heart health, enhance endurance, boost mood, promote better sleep, improve lung health, and lower the risk of chronic diseases, among others. 

Incorporating regular cardio into your routine goes beyond calorie burn, contributing to a healthier and more resilient overall well-being.

How to improve your cardio workouts

1 – Find an activity you love

If there’s one thing we can say about cardio workouts is that there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s the pace of running, the tranquillity of biking, the introspective art of swimming or the simplicity of walking, cardio offers a diverse array of activities. 

The trick is finding an activity that you enjoy and transforming your routine into something you look forward to — a crucial step to help you improve your cardio workouts altogether. 

2 – Be consistent and intense

Consistency is the bedrock of any successful fitness journey, and the best way to improve your cardio workouts and enhance your cardiovascular health is by being consistent. 

However, while consistency is important, intensity is the decisive factor. The guidelines suggest an adult should have at least 150–300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity and 75–150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. 

3 – Variety is the spice of life (and cardio)

We’ve shown you various activities to improve your cardio workouts. However, you can add variety into your routine that isn’t necessarily cardio exercises. Here are some suggestions to keep things interesting and help you fight cardio monotony: 

• HIIT Workouts: Short for High-Intensity Interval Training, HIIT comes in various forms, offering a broad range of benefits. It involves alternating short bursts of intense activity with brief rest periods, ensuring your heart gets a vigorous workout.
• Cross-Training: If you’re unfamiliar, cross-training means participating in two or more exercises to enhance overall fitness and performance. Essentially, it involves mixing and matching different workouts in your training routine.

4 – Rest and recovery 

If you exercise, you’re well aware of the benefits an active life brings to your physical and mental health. And you also know that there’s a critical component of fitness that often gets overshadowed by the thrill of the workout itself: recovery.

Overlooking your rest and recovery can increase your risk of injury, stifle your motivation, and even slam the brakes on your progress entirely.