If you aren't a runner, it is pretty difficult to put on those shoes, go out into the cold and go for a run, in your free time.
The problem isn't you, and it isn't running, it is the form of cardio you are choosing to do. You can get a great cardio workout in a variety of ways that don't necessarily include running. Cardio workouts are essential for maintaining heart health and preventing heart disease. Make the time to take care of yourself, and find the right cardio workout that makes you want to get up, move your body and get some exercise.
The key is liking what exercise you do in your free time. If you are determined to be a runner, find a new way of doing it. Run for 5 minutes, and walk for 2. Whatever method or circuit allows you to enjoy running, feel strong and capable.
And for those who just aren't runners, here are 10 fun options for getting in your cardio workout.
10 Organized Sport
Doing an organized sport is a great way to get in a cardio workout because if you enjoy the game, it is easy to forget you are even working out. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, tennis are all great games to get you running around and having fun.
The best part is joining a team or doing the sport with friends. If you are new to a sport, don't be embarrassed to get out there and try something new. Most community centers have adult recreation leagues for all levels.
9 Walking
Walking is a great low-impact sport, and highly underrated. Running burns twice the calories, but can cause damage to your joints over time without proper training whereas walking is the low-impact counter sport. Walking is also generally more accessible. Maybe you just don't have the energy to get up and start your day with a run, but you do have the time to take a 30-minute walk during your lunch break.
For folks with long and rigorous schedules, there is always time to sneak in a 10 to 15-minute walk and make time to move your body.
8 Jump Rope
Most adults haven't picked up a jump rope since elementary school, but it's a fun and easy way to get some cardio in. There are a lot of workouts centered around jump roping that you can find on youtube, many of which are also incorporated into at-home cardio workouts.
If you don't have a jump rope, doing the foot movements is enough to get you started. You might feel kind of silly, but making the jump rope movements without an actual rope is a common cardio workout that trainers use.
Jumping rope is a great form of exercise for those busy folks because you don't have to leave the house! Squeezing in even 5 minutes is an easy way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
7 Zumba
Zumba classes have been trending in gyms for years, and you can also access them for free online from the comfort of your living room. It trends hard because it is a fun way to move your body and dance to good music.
You may not realize it is harder than it looks! Some people feel a little silly when they first start doing Zumba, as they get used to the movements, but just like anything it only takes some practice to get more confident. You will have so much fun that you will forget you are getting a cardio workout.
6 Dance Classes
If Zumba isn't quite your vibe, many different kinds of dance classes will get your cardio going and also strengthen your muscles. Ballet, salsa, hip-hop, bar dancing, and many more.
You can join a dance studio or a dance fitness class. You don't have to be a skilled dancer to join dance fitness, but you do have to enjoy moving your body to good music! It is another good place to meet like-minded people and new friends to dance with.
5 Biking
Biking or cycling is one of the best forms of cardio exercise because it is low impact, and burns almost as many calories as running. Whether you like to do long rides with racebikes on the weekends, or just prefer to bike to work, it is easy to take the time to go for a bike ride.
If biking outdoors isn't accessible to you, indoor biking is one of the best at-home workouts for getting in cardio and making time in your busy schedule.
4 Roller Skating
Roller skating takes a little more skill and practice than the other sports in this article, but it is a really fun way to get cardio that most people overlook.
If you learned to skate as a kid, you already have a basis for it so it should be easy to improve, go with friends and enjoy being outside on your skates. For experts, roller dancing is trending as a fun way to work out.
For folks interested in starting to skate, it is easier than you think! Find a place where you can hold on and just get used to being on the skates. Make sure the skates are tied tightly so give you more stability, and if you feel like you might fall just sit back into a squat.
3 HIT Workouts
HIT workouts include sports like Tabata and Crossfit, but it is just doing cardio workouts on an interval
Tabata utilizes intervals of 20 seconds, and then 10 seconds of rest. This form of cardio is for the folks who like to get in an efficient workout for your heart and body. When you think about it, you can do anything for 20 seconds!
Crossfit is like a step up from Tabata instead of 30-second intervals, the athlete should do the interval until they reach the point of fatigue, and rest for shorter periods. It depends on the training program exactly, but usually, CrossFit intervals are on for 1 minute and rest for 10 to 20 seconds.
While a Crossfit workout might seem intimidating, it is just another form of internal training and anyone can do it.
There are great at-home workouts that you can access online for HIT. If you get really into it, after watching enough videos you can take the moves you like and form your own HIT workout.
2 Swimming
Swimming not only helps your body with cardio but with strengthening, lengthening and muscle toning. Similar to cycling or walking, it is low impact but it burns nearly as many calories as running.
Getting access to a pool, for the winter months at least, is the only barrier to start swimming. Most communities have a pool, and many gyms in big cities as well.
1 Kick Boxing
For folks who want cardio, to get stronger and blow off some steam, kickboxing is an excellent workout. Kickboxing has many levels and modifications, meaning it can be a low-impact or high-impact form of cardio.
Plus there is nothing better than feeling badass and strong as you punch out the air after a long day of work.
