Not gonna lie, I hate doing the cardio and until recently I had always questioned its value in a workout regiment (i.e. figured I could do without it entirely).

I've gotten decent workouts doing cycling, but my schedule is such that I can usually hit one long ride on a weekend and nothing more so it's not really effective as a routine.

I have always hated running. I've gotten decent results though forcing myself to do 2 miles on days I'm not lifting, gets me sweating and tired.

Have other guys here found cardio routines that are either easy to stick with, especially rewarding physically or mentally, or get you good results efficiently?

Man, I was the same, and the only cardio I was willing to try out is boxing.

Of course, with boxing you get to do other cardio routines such as running and jumping rope, but for me the difference is important: I am not "just" running, I am running to build up my stamina so that I don't get smoked in the gym.

I am personally biased against "just" running as well, granted, I've got no objective reasons for that, it's just that a lot of guys I see running on the regular are fat or skinnyfat no matter how many 10Ks they do, so there's little appeal in it for me. With boxing, however, running gains a purpose.

Training box benefits me in two ways - see if you can relate:
- I get to put the muscle I'm trying to build when lifting weights to work; it's no longer an exercise in narcissism, every fiber becomes functional
- I gain some confidence that if I ever have to defend myself physically, I'll be able to - now since I've just gotten started, this is largely hypothetical at the moment

Plus, when I roll out of the gym, I feel as if testosteron is pouring from every pore of my skin, I feel like a fucking monster ;] Now, that's probably not testosteron but rather endorphines talking, but you get the point. It feels great.

If I wasn't doing this, I'd probably try swimming. If neither appeals to you, my last tip would be social dancing, possibly swing? When I see the cats on the dancefloor move like that, I figure it must be a good cardio, too. I do a lot of social dancing myself, but of a slower variety, which doesn't count against my cardio requirements, alas.

DISCLAIMER: I'm 38, have been lifting weights on the regular for the past 4 years, have just started boxing this month, so that that into account, I'm certainly no fitness expert.

I agree with everything Teekay said. Instead of boxing, I play basketball. It helps motivate me todo everything- jump rope, lift, swim, etc. Plus playing the game is fun, social, physical, and aggressive.

Cardio is beta. Except for walking. On some days when I've pushed myself too far I just go for a brisk hour long walk to get the heart rate up. Elliot Hulse and mikeCF both have said similar comments.

Relevant:

http://youtu.be/Ns6YSvCsVJM

I also hate cardio, but my fitness regime is focused on mostly lifting weights (Squats, deadlifts, pull-ups and bench presses). The most weight loss I've had really is from a proper diet.

As for cardio, I do almost none of it outside of playing basketball and soccer. In a very similar vein as Teekay above, just running for the sake of running is too boring, so he does boxing, which I would recommend (although I haven't gotten into that yet)

Do something that involves some competition or incorporates running like any high movement sport.
(i.e. golf doesn't count)

Lifting weights FASTER.

That being said, I'm about a quarter-mile walk from several stores and eateries, so I'll skip driving unless there's a good reason. Do some curls with your full shopping bags on the way home!

Swimming is great cardio. I enjoy being out in the sun and swimming. Granted this is not always a option depending on the season and where you live.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the meanest cardio I have ever discovered. We get guys that come to our classes that do insanity every day, run 10ks, bike for hours at a time. They are all dead ass tired after 5 minutes of rolling.

Sex is great cardio to if your doing it right.

I think the key to cardio is finding something you like doing so that its not a chore like "oh, I'm going to do cardio". I personally go skateboarding about 5 days a week anywhere from 45 minutes - hour and a half, been doing it for 20 years and I continue to do it because its something I want to do. Same goes for hiking and snowboarding but I don't get to do those things as much as I'd like. Soon I plan to try indoor rock climbing/bouldering and would like to do that 2 or 3 times a week once it starts getting cold out.

Jump Rope.

All you need is a rope. You can come up with the most intense workouts lasting minutes.

Quote: (09-22-2014 05:04 PM)Kaizen Wrote:  

Jump Rope.

All you need is a rope. You can come up with the most intense workouts lasting minutes.

*2 at around two minutes I break down in exhaustion. Best bang for your buck.

Cardio works for me when I don't think I'm doing cardio.

I can run like the energizer bunny in soccer, or do 10+km easily with my friends (while wolf whistling at chicks and talking shit) but if I try to run by myself around the local park, I would last about 300m before my brain says fuck it.

Social dancing to fast music also helps. I like fast swing, collegiate shag or fast solo jazz for cardio - obviously I don't dance for cardio lol

If it's in a gym session, I'd do something kinda fun at the end, like a game. For example, I like burpees and KB snatches. I'd toss a coin to find out which one I do. Then I roll two dice (phone app) to find out how many continuous minutes I'll be doing it for.

Something you can stick at.

Cardio is boring as fuck.

I agree with Cr33pin, sex is great cardio. I am always significantly fitter when banging on a regular basis.

If possible, look into cycling to work. It would take care of your cardio and if it's possible and you have to commute anyway, give it a go. I cycle to work and it takes the same amount of time to cycle as to take public transportation - costs less in the long run and I am in great shape cardio-wise.

Perhaps I will do it less come this winter but I bought special winter biking gear regardless. We'll see.

Quote: (09-23-2014 06:33 AM)Yeti Wrote:  

I agree with Cr33pin, sex is great cardio. I am always significantly fitter when banging on a regular basis.

If possible, look into cycling to work. It would take care of your cardio and if it's possible and you have to commute anyway, give it a go. I cycle to work and it takes the same amount of time to cycle as to take public transportation - costs less in the long run and I am in great shape cardio-wise.

Perhaps I will do it less come this winter but I bought special winter biking gear regardless. We'll see.

I've read lots of studies that say that sex being great for cardio/calories burned is a myth.

Guess it depends on how you do it really.

Swimming used to do wonders for me. I'm currently getting back into it.

I can actually get into jogging if I listen to audios while I'm on the road. Really takes my mind off the monotony and I can go a lot longer that way.

Still iffy about jogging here in Phnom Penh though. I was doing it for a while, but the traffic is a bit (extreme understatement) sketchy, and you're always worrying about getting run over. I just walk now.

There's a sport shop next door and planning to swoop up a jump rope.

Quote: (09-21-2014 11:59 PM)BadgerHut Wrote:  

Not gonna lie, I hate doing the cardio and until recently I had always questioned its value in a workout regiment (i.e. figured I could do without it entirely).

I've gotten decent workouts doing cycling, but my schedule is such that I can usually hit one long ride on a weekend and nothing more so it's not really effective as a routine.

I have always hated running. I've gotten decent results though forcing myself to do 2 miles on days I'm not lifting, gets me sweating and tired.

Have other guys here found cardio routines that are either easy to stick with, especially rewarding physically or mentally, or get you good results efficiently?

Hey
I know what has worked for me and many of my clients. Buy a good GPS / Heart rate monitor (preferably used) on amazon and use that to keep track of your workouts. This makes cardio much more motivating. I would use HIIT high intensity Interval Training if you are doing cardio primarily to look better. The science behind that type of training is beyond a forum reply, but you can google HIIT to get all the details. I would start with work / rest periods of 30:30, 30:60, or 30:90 and work from there. Just make sure to do a warm up and cool down. I really prefer sprinting as it makes you fee pretty athletic. I bought a used Garmin 305 which I have a non affiliate link to below. This is the one myself and my clients use, cheap and near flawless workout tracking.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B...ition=used

Usually 600-1000 meters running on the treadmill as warmup before workouts (always hated long distance running, but I usually enjoy short distances).
And 10-15 km mountain hikes two or three times a week during spring and summer (been a bit more lazy with that this year now that the novelty of moving to a country with mountains has worn off, and I've seen most of the closest routes many times on the mountain right outside Sofia). Autumn and winter I usually just add a bit to the treadmill, usually incline, fast paced walking rather than more running.

And I don't have a car, so I generally walk a fair bit in my daily life.

Quote: (09-22-2014 06:01 PM)frenchie Wrote:  

Quote: (09-22-2014 05:04 PM)Kaizen Wrote:  

Jump Rope.

All you need is a rope. You can come up with the most intense workouts lasting minutes.

*2 at around two minutes I break down in exhaustion. Best bang for your buck.

Amen

I've implemented several jump rope routines over the last year +

5 times a week, alternating routines along with basketball it's the most effective

Wouldn't you consider doing High Intensity Interval Training ? Usually lasts about 15-20 minutes constituted with 30 sec sprint, and 60 sec jogging as an exemple

I box. Still need to do treadmill, jump rope etc for boxing.

Afternoons I'll jump rope and get a tan (about 20 mins a day - been pale for too long).

Sprinting workouts have kept me in shape for years. Anything from 100 meter dashes to 1 mile sprints

Treadmill options
Leave the treadmill off and move it using your own force. Does this for as long as you can
Turn the speed up to a sorinting level and raise the incline. Stand on the sides and then jump on and run as fast as you can and then jump off

I also play adult leagues for basketball, soccer, and football.

Quote: (09-23-2014 07:25 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  

Treadmill options
Leave the treadmill off and move it using your own force. Does this for as long as you can
Turn the speed up to a sorinting level and raise the incline. Stand on the sides and then jump on and run as fast as you can and then jump off

Here's video of that:

Elliptical machine for 20+ minutes and a lot of walking.

+1 for social dancing for Cardio. Classes tend to be slower paced and more broken up while they focus on technique or a particular step, but the socials after class are excellent Cardio. The fact that you're spending the dance flirting with your follow makes it natural and fun to dance as a form of Cardio.

If it's just a physique thing though diet stomps Cardio, and as far as health benefits go lifting has the same cardiovascular effects on men as Cardio.

Walking is great for a number of reasons. It's not as efficient as running in terms of burning calories but I find the slower pace to be more meditative and better for my mood over all. I can also use it as a time to focus on posture and paying attention to my body. I take a 40-60 minute walk at least 3 times a week (any day I'm not lifting). I also social dance 2-3 nights a week but don't really count it specifically.

Quote: (09-22-2014 01:10 AM)redbeard Wrote:  

Cardio is beta.