Throughout the many years in the fitness industry, finding folk who enjoy doing cardio is something that occurs once in a blue moon. Most of us dread it, and I completely understand where you’re coming from.

But cardio is extremely important. It’s needed to help you lose weight, balance your hormones and keep your heart healthy. With this in mind, I’ll be sharing with you 5 methods I’ve been using to keep myself and my circle of friends motivated for the heart pumping cardio sessions!

1. Bring The Cardio Home

We come up with all kinds of excuses when it comes to doing cardio. From the infamous ‘I don’t have time’ to ‘it’s too cold outside’, I’ve heard it all and used it all. Then how about making it easier for yourself by working out at home?

If you’ve been slacking off your weekly runs, why not get a treadmill? With so many on the market, you can find treadmills under 500 dollars. It’s a worthwhile investment because with the proper care, they can last for at least ten years. Treadmills have gotten a lot smaller, but if space and money is a real constraint, burpees, squat jumps, and skipping are great free alternatives!

2. Set Reasonable Goals

Many people go through the hellhole process of cardio with the end goal of losing weight. But the problem is that they can be very vague. You need to set realistic goals that you know you can achieve.

There’s no healthy way to lose 15lbs. in a week. Instead, start small, like shedding 2lbs a week for a month. It’s not sexy, but it’s better for you in the long run.

When it’s easier to reach your weekly target, you’ll want to come back for more. You’ll run longer, push yourself harder and put you through a more rigorous workout without hating it. You’ll find it becomes easier to lace up and hit the park during the cold mornings because you’ll know you will achieve what you’ve set, and in the long run you’ll see some real progress!

3. Track Data

Tracking your progress is a great way to keep yourself motivated. This allows us to break big goals into several checkpoints. Tracking our progress emphasizes on the importance of the journey rather than the goal itself.

If your goal is to lose weight, take biweekly pictures of yourself under the same lighting conditions. If you’re trying to improve your running pace or cycling miles, you can easily track your progress by investing in an inexpensive smartwatch.

4. Find Someone To Work With

For some, cardio is super boring no matter what tracks are beating through their ears. A great solution I can offer is to look for a buddy to do cardio with. This can be your neighbour, office mate, or even the old lady you talk to at the park.

The trick here is to find someone that you’re not too close with. You’re less likely to cancel on plans or put in half-baked work in the presence of someone you need to make a good impression on. Naturally, you tend to get away with being lazy with close friends no matter how much crap they give you about it.

5. Explore Different Exercises/Routines

A big reason why people have to drag themselves into doing cardio is because they hate the exercises to begin with. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that term? Running? Cycling? If you can’t stand the thought of it, then try something new.

The gym has plenty to offer. Battle ropes are great at burning calories while building capped shoulders, and high volume squats with light weights work the heart just as much as running in my opinion!