Long, difficult cardio workouts aren’t for everyone, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Just because you are in good health it does not mean that you enjoy or are even good at running. Many athletes and people who are very dedicated to fitness are embarrassed to admit that they absolutely can’t stand going for a run, even if it’s just from the parking lot to the door in the rain. Different workouts strike a different chord in everyone’s hearts, so just because you hate running, that doesn’t mean you aren’t fit or aren’t healthy. If you are someone who hates running but is always looking for new workouts to do, here are a few ideas.
The Best Cardio Exercises For People Who Hate Running
HIIT
HIIT, otherwise known as High-Intensity Interval Training, is something that is becoming more and more popular every day. Most successful HIIT workouts only need to last about 30 minutes, which is also perfect for those who try to work out on a tight schedule. HIIT involves a lot of jumping, squatting, lifting, and pulling, but no running! You’ll be sure to feel the burn with HIIT workouts; you may, as a matter of fact, keep feeling it for a few days to come. HIIT doesn’t fall short in any successful fitness category.
Swimming
There’s a reason swimming has been so popular for so many years: it’s an incredible full-body workout! It’s low-intensity, which means it’s safe for people of all ages and people who can’t necessarily jump or do things with a heavy impact on their joints. Not only does swimming have some major game-changing cardiovascular benefits, but it also builds up body strength and muscle mass, increases your flexibility, strengthens your lung capacity, and greatly improves bone density. Added bonus: in the summer it’s a great excuse to get to cool off for a bit!
Kickboxing
It’s not so often that you can get in a great workout and a stress-relief all in one. Who doesn’t want to get out their daily built-up rage out on a heavy punching bag? A kickboxing class expertly combines high-intensity cardio with some martial arts moves that could come in handy one day. Kickboxing has also been known to help improve your posture and give your body that energy boost that it so desperately needs after a long week of work.