Most people accept that cardiovascular exercises are important without often getting into specifics – the pluses and minuses of cardio-based workout routines. I don’t mean to come across as ‘anti-cardio,’ but I do find myself asking why people think they need cardio in order to get into great shape.
To be fair, I am not boycotting all forms of cardio so much as I am protesting the idea that traditional cardio exercises are at all necessary. Like I said previously, quite a few individuals who regularly use the gym would never dare to question the necessity of doing cardio – but I am not here just to ask questions. I’m here to provide an answer!
Firstly, I should note that the healthiest, fittest people I know—men and women with great, great bodies—never do any form of traditional cardio. It also bears mentioning that I have been working out for over fifteen years, in many different gyms, and have met in my time many different athletes. Is there a place for low-level cardio? Yes, especially for those who are very overweight or particularly de-conditioned – but even in such cases, there tend to be better methods.
Then again, it matters how a person defines ‘cardio.’ For too many people, cardio means mindlessly jogging on a treadmill, sitting on a stationary bike – all while sitting in front of a muted television screen. Is there any wonder why so many people find exercising to be so boring? It’s also no mystery for me why these people have trouble losing weight, and more importantly, keeping that weight away! Read our article “15 Exciting Fat Scorching Exercises” for some workouts that won’t put you to sleep.
In reality, ‘cardio’ is actually any form of exercise that helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system. I’m not going to get into anything too technical here, because it’s not necessary to overcomplicate this form of exercise. All that needs to be known is that your heart will be pumping and you’ll be left breathing heavily. So what does it matter where you are, what you are sitting on, or what you’re holding?
Here’s an example: Take a barbell (or a dumbbell or kettlebell), and lift it from the floor up to your shoulders before pushing it overhead. (Ladies, this may be seen as a ‘manly’ sort of exercise, but you will still benefit just as much – and it doesn’t really matter what the weight you are lifting happens to be.) Do this for 10 or 15 reps, and tell me your heart rate isn’t up quite a bit! Ideally, it’ll be around 80-90% of the recommended maximum, meaning that you will be as out of breath as you would have been had you simply completed a 100-meter sprint! (And while I am on the subject, if you’re interested in losing flab, I’d recommend taking up sprinting instead of jogging!)
Similarly, you can swing a kettlebell or dumbbell for about 20 reps and take note of the burning in your legs, and the racing in your heart. You’ll be gasping for breath! I could go on all day. Here’s another example: five minutes straight of lunges, pushups, squats, etc., with very little rest. Once again, you’ll be left with a pounding heart!
By definition, everything mentioned above counts as cardio. While convention tells us that these are classified as weight-training exercises, no one in their right mind would deny that you are working your heart as well. You’re simply killing two birds with one stone! In short, this means you are saving yourself time while simultaneously conditioning every single muscle in your body. Can you claim any of this about stationary bikes? Obviously not! In my opinion, if you’re reading something or watching television while you are working out, then something is wrong! You aren’t concentrating, so there’s a mind-body disconnect.
Consider this a challenge, if it helps! Give ‘traditional cardio’ a rest for a month or two, and start training the way I have outlined above. If it doesn’t work out, you have my blessing to go back to your old routine and stick with it! I am confident that you’ll discover that sticking to what I have suggested here, as well as in my intentionally-selling Truth About Six Pack Abs Program, leads to the beginning of the end of your stubborn stomach fat and boring workout regimens!
Mike Geary, CPT, CNS, is the author of the internationally Best-Selling Abs program, The Truth About Abs, with readers in 150+ countries. Read on to see why treadmill workouts suck and visit his website now.
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