There’s no two ways about it, Cardio is hard work.
Running, swimming, cycling; these things all take time, commitment and a whole bunch of self-discipline.
When you’re putting in the effort and not getting the payoff, it can leave you feeling desperate; -ready to throw in the towel.
But you haven’t given up, or else you wouldn’t be reading this article, right?
We all know that cardio is a critical part of our lives; there are ALMOST as many benefits as a day’s worth of Tweets on the Trump Twitter account.
If you’re not getting the results you want from your Cardio Program, don’t give up! All it takes is a little determination, discipline, and insight. -Take a step back and look at the hometraininghero’s 3 reasons why your cardio program sucks (and what to do about it).
Why Your Cardio Program Sucks
You’re not going hard enough
Many think that quantity beats quality, and they apply this concept to their workouts.
Here’s the thing: just because something takes a long time to do, it doesn’t make it any more worth doing.
Just because something takes a long time to do, it doesn’t make it any more worth doing.
Click To Tweet
Do you like the sound of spending less time on your cardio and actually seeing the results you want?
Then it’s time to take it up a notch; boost the intensity of your cardio.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) operates with this principle in mind, and it has been proved to be highly effective.
Try to make your workouts shorter and more intense.
The effectiveness of this method has been proven time and time again, and you need to be utilizing intensity if you want to start seeing tangible results FAST.
You’re Not Mixing Things Up
Humans are creatures of habit, and we fall into routines easily.
It’s all-too-easy to do this with our cardio, opting for the same exercises every time we work out.
Over time, your chosen exercise will become easier, and you will feel a boost in confidence, maybe even thinking you are FINALLY fit.
But this is far from the truth. What’s actually happening is that your muscles, cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems are becoming accustomed to the exercise.
In this case, your level of fitness will stagnate, and you won’t see the gains you are looking for.
Remember that there are many options for cardio exercise:
- running
- swimming
- cycling
- walking
- jogging
- skipping
- dancing
- cross-trainer
- rowing
Remember that even if you alternate between exercise types, you should also alternate your method. For example, here are the variables you can mix up with running:
– terrain: incline, decline, flat
– surface: trails, concrete, grass
– intensity: sprint/jog/run
All of these exercises involve cardio, and there is really no limit to how many you add to your routine- the sky is the limit!
Your Life is Out of Balance
You’re only as fit as your life allows- if you haven’t optimized your life, you’re bound for disappointment.
These are massive factors in the performance of your body, and you’ll want to maximize these to get the best from your cardio program:
- Sleep: Your body needs time to rest and recover, so the importance of having quality sleep cannot be overstated. Aim for 8 hours, and be sure not to use screen-based technology an hour before you hit the sack.
- Stress: Develop a cardio program that is an enjoyable part of your life- it shouldn’t be something you squeeze in. Working out while relaxed will always bring better outcomes.
- Nutrition: “You are what you eat” sums it up nicely. Be sure to eat enough calories to fuel workouts and support recovery, and aim for whole foods- the less processed, the better. A nutrient-rich diet will turbocharge your fitness gains.
“Sleep deprivation affects roughly 60 million Americans each year and is caused by a number of factors, including unbalanced diets, too much stress, and brains that seem to be in overdrive 24-7.”
Reference: active.com – How Sleep Improves Cardio Performance
Final Words – Maximize Your Cardio Program
There are many factors which contribute to your level of cardio fitness. If you are feeling hard done by right now, take note of these three key reasons.
By adding intensity, life-balance, and variety into your cardio program, you are guaranteed to start seeing the results you deserve.
The post 3 Reasons Why Your Cardio Program Sucks appeared first on HomeTrainingHero.
