Cardio can be one of the most boring and tedious parts of a fitness routine if you make it that way. Follow these tips to trade in your boring routine for something that will keep you going and wondering where the time went.

Mix it Up

Four 60 minute sessions weekly on the elliptical aren’t going to inspire anyone to head to the gym. Try not repeating the same session in a week. It will keep things interesting and maybe you might start to look forward it.

Try a Class 

Participating in a class will keep you motivated through the entire workout. Try zumba, kickboxing, or cycle for some mega calorie burning. Or if you feel shy or uncomfortable taking a class, try watching workout videos at home like the Zumba® Weight Loss Program DVD. You’ll get the same results if you work just as hard in your living room as you would in the gym. If Zumba’s not your thing, try something like the P90X DVD Workout.

Include Intervals 

Performing high intensity interval training burns more calories in a shorter time than steady state cardio. Meaning you can get the same results in half the time. Try interval sprints on a treadmill. After a warm up, alternate between one minute sprints and one minute of jogging. You might need an interval timer, try the Gymboss HOT PINK Interval Timer.

Figure out What you Love 

And what you hate. There is nothing that I loathe more then the treadmill. If I want to run I go outside and avoid the treadmill. I choose stairs, hiking, cycling, and zumba for my cardio.

Break it Up

Instead of doing 60 minutes on the treadmill, try breaking up the routine. Do 20 minutes on the treadmill, 20 on the elliptical, and 20 on the bike to keep it fun. Or 15 minutes incline walking on the treadmill, 15 minutes of running, and 15 minutes stairs.

By photostock, published on 18 March 2011
Stock Photo – image ID: 10035252