Better Workouts 5: Cardio
- More efficient training
- Less Cardio for better results
Gym workouts can be boring and that’s when it becomes completely counterproductive. On the other hand, knowing what to do and how to tinker with your routine will get you great results.
In this edition: Cardio
Cardio is like marmite you genuinely either love it or hate it. I would categorise that as those who are doing it well (and enjoyably) and those who are yet to find that enjoyment of their exercise of choice.
There are numerous forms of cardio, it doesn’t necessarily need to just be running it can be a whole range of exercise. Basically, cardiovascular exercise is anything that gets the heart rate up for an extended period of time. The aim is primarily to burn calories are not to build the muscle.
I’m sure you can appreciate where I’m going with this, especially if you have read many of my previous blogs. If you can build lean muscle at the same time as burglaries then you are certainly on to a winner.
It is probably one of the most common myths around this time of year (after all the festive overindulgence) that you need to sweat out the calories. This is not the case if you are looking to change your physique and feel healthier and happier. There is a balance between expanding calories and building lean muscle mass.
Obviously, we are not talking about bodybuilding here but rather a small sustainable improvements that you can take to lifestyle to live healthier and happier.
Too often, I see people quit on fitness because they get bored of the same routine (yes this is a recurring theme but it is very true) and this is generally because of feeling lost in the gym and heading straight for the monotonous cardiovascular exercises that breed familiarity.
My advice to you would be to keep the cardio exercise to ideally under 30 minutes but at a push 45 minutes maximum. This should consist of high-intensity exercise with your heart rate being in the optical zone (depending on your age and fitness levels). Ideally, there would be sprints until claims to help develop the lean muscle and lung capacity rather than just plodding along at a steady, slow speed.
Sprints are definitely a winner cardio fitness. Your body will work harder to produce oxygen round the body which will in turn improve lung capacity, overall insurance, weed muscle within the body and help you to feel happier.
Long, slow duration cardiovascular exercise has very little discernible impact on overall health other than making you good at the exercise that you are doing. For an example of this, see marathon runners who have the sole discipline of running. As much as I admire the commitment and dedication, there does come a time when either injuries or boredom will take over (trust me, I have been there).
I think cardio should be about doing what you love not being forced to do the same repetitive thing and boring exercises over and over again. Life is too short for that and there are better things to be doing. Cardiovascular exercise CAN be done more efficiently and effectively in LESS time with MORE effort.
By having the knowledge of what you can achieve in a personalised program, your fitness routine can become shorter, more effective, more enjoyable and ultimately produce the results that you are looking for!
If you want more guidance / support on your workouts or training plan then get in contact with me for your trial of the RYPT app where you’ll be fully taken through a comprehensive beginner to intermediate training plan whereby you’ll be able comfortable training alone at the end of it.
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Ross Yeoman
RYPT Owner
