How many of you like performing cardiovascular exercises such as running or cycling? Are you an all year round swimmer or rower? Whatever the type of CV you choose to do I want you to know that it doesn't have to be boring for you. If you are like me and love to perform different types of workouts weekly to mix everything up you are going to love some of these suggestions I write about. Your workouts should never be boring, so let's have a look at some favourite types and check out how you can make them FUN!!
The Treadmill
Whether you use the treadmill to walk, jog or run, you can certainly make it more of a fun activity as opposed to just counting down the minutes until you hit the infamous, red 'stop' button. Personally, my favourite way to enjoy (yes enjoy) the treadmill is by performing intervals across a set time. For example, if you want to rack up 20 minutes on the treadmill, simply running for this length of time is quite boring. There are only so many TV's or people you can watch without getting bored and clock watching right? I propose some intervals to break the boredom and to make it more challenging.
How Do You Do Them? - Easy, intervals are a mixtures of slow, medium and fast speeds which you incorporate into the 20 minute activity. Therefore alter your speeds accordingly and see how you get on, I promise you the only time you will be clock watching is when you need to alter the speed and not through being bored ;)
The Rower
Probably the most avoided piece of equipment in the cardiovascular section because in my opinion it is the hardest. So, rather than letting the rowing machines intimidate you, I want you to start using them. Instead of just rowing however and going for 5 or 10 minutes, why not perform a time trial where you go against the clock to see what record time you can get?
How Do You Do It? - Set the rower for a distance you want to row, in this example let's say 500m. Once you have done this distance, rest for 2 minutes and go again, but on the second row you are trying to beat your previous time. Perform a few of these and see if you can beat your times and before you realise you will have completed 1500-2000m. Who said rowing was hard ey ;)
The Bike
Having a seat on the bicycle should be no easy activity and if you find yourself always using the bike as a warm up for 5 minutes, it is time to use another form of warm up. The bike is great to really work your quads and hamstrings by concentrating on different techniques during various speeds you decide to do. The pushing movement of the bike works the thighs while the pulling up movement works the hamstrings.
When To Push and When To Pull? - When you are on the bike if you are performing a sprint then you want to push down and use those quads as much as possible for optimum recoil of the leg. However for longer periods of time on the bike and uphill training use both the push and pull method so that you use the whole of your legs muscles to power you through.
Summary
So there you have it, three exercise machines that you may use on a regular basis but now bring new meaning! Enjoy and remember to put in 100% maximum effort :)
