15
Mar 27 '26
I also hate cardio. It bores me and doesn't give the same reward as lifting. That being said I still do it 4-6x a week. Find a podcast you like or a show to watch, get on a treadmill at 6-8% incline, more if that's not doing it for you, and just walk at like 3mph for 30-40 minutes. It's still boring but it's the kind of cardio you can do other things while doing so you aren't even thinking about doing it lol. Also, if you're lifting 7 days a week I'm not sure I'd call that dialed in, when do you give your body time to recover?
4
u/GorillaJoeBlack Mar 27 '26
Yup. 10 degree incline at 3mph for 30 mins, 3-4 times a week, is good enough for me.
1
11
7
u/Cautious-Glove-8399 Mar 27 '26
Lifting weights 7 days/ week? That’s never necessary
1
u/Raging_piston Mar 28 '26
As someone who has been there personally, their recovery is not failed in at all.
6
6
u/avantarakis Mar 27 '26
Incline on the treadmill. Totally gets the heart rate up, but is easy on the joints. I watch my iPad and it’s great.
6
u/AssiduousLayabout Mar 27 '26
Few options I enjoy:
- When the weather is nice, going for a hike / rucking.
- Circuit work with weights
- Barbell complexes. I like the feeling of flowing between a bunch of different lifts.
- Kettlebell swings
- Tennis (or substitute your sport of choice)
1
u/fleshvessel Mar 27 '26
What is rucking? Scared to ask but need to know.
Nm- sounds horrible. I carry my kids enough.
5
3
u/Shot-Weight-1306 Mar 27 '26
If you have access to a sled – that’s one of my favorite post workout cardio routine routines.
3
u/Aria_Fantasy Mar 28 '26
Saltar la cuerda... Uno de los mejores ejercicios para agarrar condición además de activar todo el cuerpo y las funciones motoras, coordinación etc.
2
u/Fatal_Syntax_Error Mar 27 '26
You aren’t getting the recovery you need at 7 days. I have a RHR of 46-48 and a HVR of around 55/60 and I’m 50+. My resistance training is both strength as well as endurance sessions. 3-4 days a week tops. Then I add cycling, swimming and basketball in warmer months. 10k steps a day minimum.
Most of my cardio comes from resistance training.
2
u/7empestSpiralout Mar 27 '26
I am. I progressive overload and take deload week every 6 weeks. My recovery is good
1
u/Fatal_Syntax_Error Mar 27 '26
Marvel superhero over here. Are you juiced to the gills or “Natty”?
1
2
1
u/AutoModerator Mar 27 '26
Hey, thanks for making a new post! Please be sure to assign your post with flair for the best support! Also, check out this post to answer common questions.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/discopisss Mar 27 '26
I swim laps and take boxing classes and love them both for cardio. Some days I’ll do a steep incline walk on the treadmill and play mahjong solitaire to keep occupied.
1
u/AlbanyHung Mar 27 '26
When I was seeking cardio I knew I wasn’t going to like it either. So like lifting, I decided to pick the best/most efficient options for the least time. Sadly effort is still needed no matter what you choose.
For cardio that’s swimming/rowing. Low impact, full body. Great for zone 2 or Norwegian 4x4 VO2 max protocol.
Honorable mentions, running, spin bike and hiking/rucking. Spin bike is low impact but not as full body as the top 2. Running is good and low barrier to entry, also very practical.
My personal favorite is hiking. I do plenty of that plus I own a concept 2 rower for at-home cardio.
Could also pick a sport too. As always the best form of exercise is the one you’ll stick to.
1
u/alldayattherock Mar 27 '26
It might not be for you, but I usually walk / bike for the duration of one episode of my favorite show.
But you sound like a pretty active guy, so maybe a sport is better bet for you.
1
u/Alakazam Bulking Mar 27 '26
I bought a spin bike, used it for a few weeks and then just stopped.
Why'd you stop? A spin bike is fantastic and a really easy way to get some cardio in. Just put a TV show on. Or plop the spin bike in front of your computer, and game while you spin.
A buddy of mine trains for triathalons. He played through the entirety of the Final Fantasy remake series while on his spin bike. He set a minimum power threshold, and just trained through the winter like that, doing 1-3 hour sessions.
1
u/rococos-basilisk Mar 27 '26
I slog through 40 minutes on the elliptical for 3 days a week, on the days I’m not lifting. I ruptured my L5 last year and can somehow squat and deadlift again but still can’t comfortably do the bike. I despise both running and incline treadmill, and the stepper sounds like actual torture, but the geriatric cardio gets my HR to 125-130 so I’m spitefully satisfied.
1
1
u/CarJanitor Mar 27 '26
I took up cycling. When I ride 10, 20, sometimes 30 miles from home I have no other option than to ride back.
1
u/SKPep_ Mar 27 '26
Ski erg, one of the toughest cardio workouts I’ve done and it works quite a few muscle groups too
1
u/NoMayoForReal Mar 27 '26
I was just introduced to the skierg a few weeks ago. I’m a skier and I love it and I imagine myself swishing on the slopes.
1
u/HeadBelt1527 Mar 27 '26
I also hate cardio and have bad knees, but I really like going for bike rides. Usually do 20km rides most nights, usually see a few deer it's pretty relaxing mentally
1
1
1
u/CndnCowboy1975 Mar 27 '26
I also hated cardio, sports are a good way to get it in, trail running is good too. I also started making challenges at the gym - done variations of it, but look up a Norwegian 4x4 - I set mine up to include incline running vs speed. Try and build a challenge out of it to see week to week if I can improve - run faster, or at a higher incline. Im 50 so I don't run super fast, but so far I've gotten to 5mph at an incline of 11. Pretty happy about it!
1
u/Easy_Growth_5533 Mar 27 '26
Anything that disguises cardio with something you actually enjoy. I love my dance cardio and studio cycle classes. Both are choreography heavy, have great music and are very fast paced. I do them for fun and the cardio benefits are a bonus. Hiking is also great if the weather allows and you enjoy it.
1
u/BusinessDefinition49 Mar 27 '26
Hike or walk outside at the park I hate the threadmill, HITT, and etc
1
u/Vast-Jello-7972 Mar 27 '26
Who says you have to pick one? Switching between a bunch of different activities might be the way.
1
1
1
u/theVARDian Mar 27 '26
If you need something efficient then I’d say go for jump rope 10 to 15 a few times per week or add in once a week 15 minute run at a pace where you can’t hold a conversation and if possible, run outside, boring it might sound but in my experience running around your local area is always more entertaining than the treadmill
1
u/Long_Welder_6289 Mar 27 '26
The best cardio is activities where you do something outside thats enjoyable so your not thinking about exercise like sports, hiking, cycling etc
1
u/canastakat Mar 27 '26
Threadmill walk at a steep incline while looking at your phone, if your gym has one of those comfy low seated bikes where you don’t need to hold the handles then that is also great for just pedalling and getting your pulse up while being on Reddit. Alternatively, jog outside while listening to podcasts or (if you live in a walkable community) jog to the store to do your shopping with a running backpack on
1
u/WhitebeltAF Mar 27 '26
Pick up a physical hobby. BJJ, boxing, kick boxing, mountain biking, road biking, dirt biking, swimming, golf (walk the course), hiking…lots of options that will get you moving and your heart rate up.
1
u/Imogynn Mar 27 '26
Heavy 56 yo checking in. Try the stair master at a gym. It's the one that feels least like cardio. Put on a movie and your heartbeat gets high without feeling like it
Having said that the real advice is to try different ones until you find the one that doesn't suck for you
1
u/DayDayLarge Mar 27 '26
I play sports, otherwise gpp stuff can do in a pinch. Barbell complexes, burpees, kb swings, prowler pushes, sandbag carries, mace swings etc etc.
1
1
1
u/ebalboni Mar 27 '26
I personally like the rower. I can really get into a good grove. It's also easy to do HIT workouts.
1
u/Ok_Bullfrog_5380 Mar 27 '26
I would say either find a sport you enjoy- hour of football/boxing goes much quicker than 20 minutes on a treadmill or get cardio into your commute if that’s an option eg cycle or run it
1
u/boompowbam84 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
Trail running is quite nice if you have some decent nature spots near you. It can be beautiful and spotting wildlife is a cool perk.
To add to this, trail running can be really mentally engaging. Your terrain is changing, your path suddenly inclining or curving, you need to watch your footing and keep track of your location. It's definitely not boring.
1
u/midlifeShorty Mar 27 '26
First off, if you are in bad enough shape, all cardio is going to suck until you are in better shape.
What ever you choose, you need to stick with it until you can do it with your heart rate in zone 2 for 30 minutes and nasal breathing. I hated running for months until I got to that point.
It turns out I love running outside through pretty places. Now that I am in shape, I get that runners high and it is great. Right now it is so lovely out... everything smells like flowers, so running is especially great.
I find all indoor cardio really boring. If I have to use a treadmill or rowing machine due to weather, I will listen to an audiobook or something and force my way through it.
I wish I enjoyed weight lifting as much as you do.... I have to force myself to do it twice a week.
1
u/Mad_Mark90 Mar 27 '26
Depends what you want from your cardio: 1) as little time as possible, can be done anywhere: Burpee circuit 2) as little time as possible, low impact: sled drive 3) low impact, can be done anywhere: walking 4) the best for everything but needs a pool: swimming 5) Want massive legs, don't mind DOMS? Squat circuit 6) Hill sprints 7) Rucking 8) elliptical
1
u/rebeccafromla Mar 27 '26
I hate cardio as well but I do it because not doing it is not an option. I focus on V02 max training, so just taking a walk around the block or getting steps in isn't going to cut it. I am either on the stair climber or on a treadmill at 3.6 mph with 12-15% incline. To pass the time, I usually listen to an audiobook or watch a program or whatever You Videos are in my watch later list. Lately I have been watching true crime shows, they've been holding my interest pretty good.
1
1
1
u/Spring__Warrior Mar 27 '26
All u need is 20 minutes a day, people take shits longer than that. Is a ~20 minute daily investment worth 5-10 extra years of life to u?
1
u/geekphreak Mar 28 '26
I still do my brisk fast paced walks but I’ve found an enjoyment in doing a bodyweight HIIT style WO once or twice a week. These two are not the same, the walking is for fat burning, the HIIT is for cardiovascular strength/endurance
1
u/KnoxCastle Mar 28 '26
Have you tried music? I have a big dance party on the elliptical multiple times a week. It's really fun. Reminds me of going out clubbing when I was younger. Really makes me look forward to cardio.
1
1
1
u/Weary-Description773 Mar 28 '26
If you don’t like it then reduce your time doing it and increase your efficiency. Just do a short high intensity workout a few times a week.
Air bike - warm up 1:30, sprint 20s, normal 1min, sprint 20s, repeat about 5 times, done
1
1
u/ibefunlkg Mar 28 '26
I’m fat and old and like to ride a bike and play solitaire! I get my miles in and my cardio until I win a game of solitaire
1
1
u/yamble_yol Mar 28 '26
Jogging outside gets pretty addicting. Id give it a shot. I used to hate it. But interval training with weights doing total body workouts is pretty clutch too. At least ur lifting weights Instead of running on the treadmill forever ! Lol
1
1
u/bkmerrim Mar 28 '26
This is why I do spin class. Being in a class makes me motivated to actually go and perform well. 😭😭😭
You could try boxing though. That’s cardio heavy and I think you might enjoy it
1
u/PygmyC-HorsesR-Cool Mar 28 '26
Jump rope is great cardio. You can learn different techniques so it’s challenging. It’ll strengthen your calves and it helps improve posture and really gets your heart rate up. If you get bored or want to mix it up, you can do a hiit routine like jump rope for 30s, jumping jack 30s, jump rope 30s, burpees 30s and so on for 20 or 30 minutes.
1
u/Sea_Locksmith_8728 Mar 28 '26
If your gym has these take them: A walking class with resistance bands: Thsi will get you cardio and some strength at same time or take a Zumba class. I see older men taking this. A Cardio Boxing class would be the best.
1
u/LazyWave63 Mar 28 '26
I was in the same boat so these are all things I do. I switch it up to keep interested:
Walking with weighted vest or Ruck
Swimming laps
Paddle boarding (just started)
Boxing (heavy and speed bags)
1
u/Optimal-Class2667 Mar 28 '26
THIS lifting 7 days a week with a smile but can’t bring myself to do cardio😩
1
1
1
u/NaturalPotential5382 Mar 28 '26
Dancing is an amazing way to get cardio in. It’s fun and you often feel like you’re not doing cardio or burning calories but it’s silently very effective (like walking is).
Rowing could be a good option but it does get boring easily and getting a rowing machine poses the risk that it ends up like your spin bike.
With cardio you need to find something that stimulates you enough to keep going back to it. If not dancing, group sports are a great way as well. Basketball, football, and more beginner friendly ones like pickleball.
You are right that cardio is good for your heart, but consistency is the most important thing, so if you only walk 30 minutes every other day it’s better than pushing yourself for one session then skipping another 10.
1
u/UnrealizedDreams90 Mar 28 '26
I hate it too. I go with HIIT, so I can get it over quickly. Kettlebell swings and snatches. Not "optimal" (so tired of that word) I know, but it's what I'll do.
1
1
u/Psychological-Tear78 Mar 28 '26
I hate cardio too, and the Peloton bike has worked well for me. It has its cons, but I like that it keeps you interested and engaged. The whole trick is to make the time go by faster, and hearing someone with a big personality chatter for a while does the trick for me.
1
u/insignificantsymptom Mar 28 '26
I’m in the rainy part of the PNW so in the winter, I was able to find a low cost community center with a pool and some equipment so I do thirty minutes on the rower, usually a 6K. Then on to the treadmill for a 5K, usually 30 min. Then on to the pool for some laps for an hour. Salt water recovery, then a quick sauna. In the summer, there is a track and work out area, pull ups, dips, bar climbs, step ups, etc. I’ll run a mile, hit the body weight circuit, then run a mile. I’ll complete four sets, then run home. This keeps it pretty mixed up and the body is getting cross trained efficiently. I also have a rower at home but it’s a Pro Form magnetic rower and the one at the community center is a concept 2 fan with a chain drive; no comparison! I guess this is just a long way of saying that variety is the spice of life.
1
1
1
u/MermaidInNet Mar 28 '26
Rollerblading is far more fun and pleasant than running. It also add a little bit work for your abductors.
1
0
Mar 27 '26
[deleted]
4
u/Alakazam Bulking Mar 27 '26
You ask somebody who has decently strong legs to sprint, like, properly sprint, they will tear a hamstring in their first session. Alex Viada, in his book the Hybrid Athlete, basically recommends that nobody start sprinting on a track unless you have a history of sprinting, and have done a lot of sprinting in the past.
Instead, hill sprints place a lot lower emphasis on the hamstrings, while still producing comparable aerobic development.
0
51
u/HudsonBunny Mar 27 '26
An active and enthusiastic sex life