Let’s be honest … Cardio isn’t everyone’s favorite. For many, the thought of being out of breath and pushing through the grind is far from appealing. It’s often a love-hate relationship, not fun. But as someone who has made cardio a consistent part of their fitness routine, I’ve discovered a few tricks that make the time fly by and make cardio fun, and I’d love to share them with you in this post.
Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or are looking for ways to make cardio more enjoyable, these tips might help you stay motivated and even look forward to your next workout!
The More I Did It, the Easier It Got
When I first started my fitness journey, cardio felt like an uphill battle. My initial goal was simple: make it through the entire session without stopping.
Starting Point
At the very beginning, my workouts were short and straightforward:
- 15 minutes on the elliptical
- No strength training or other exercises
My focus was solely on:
- Building cardio endurance
- Burning calories to kickstart weight loss
I set the elliptical resistance to a light default setting and maintained a steady pace, about 12 mph (which felt like a light jog). At first, even this was challenging. I would feel winded within minutes but managed to push through the 15-minute session. That was a big win for me!
Sticking to this routine five days a week, I gradually noticed improvements. As my stamina increased, I was able to push the pace and gradually increase the resistance. Cardio started to feel a little less like a chore and more like a personal challenge.
For Me, It Was More of a Mind Game
Oddly enough, the physical effort wasn’t the hardest part after a while; it was the mental battle. Even as I got stronger, the time seemed to drag on during my 15-minute sessions. I needed to find ways to make cardio less monotonous and more engaging.
Things I Tried (With Mixed Results)
Here are a few strategies I tested to make time on the elliptical more enjoyable:
- Avoiding the clock: I tried not to look at the time until a set amount had passed, but my curiosity always got the better of me.
- Listening to music: Music helped to some extent, but eventually, even my favorite playlist started to feel repetitive.
What Really Made Cardio Easier For Me
One discovery changed everything: watching running videos.
Here’s why it worked so well for me:
- Constantly changing scenery: Watching the road, trails, or nature unfold made me feel like I was there. It was immersive and kept me engaged. It started to feel a little easier.
- Sense of progression: Seeing the virtual path made the time pass faster and gave me a visual sense of accomplishment.
My Go-To Setup for Cardio Workouts
To create an enjoyable workout experience, I invested in some basic equipment:
- Elliptical machine: My trusty cardio companion.
- Projector and screen: These made it easy to display videos in front of me while I worked out.
- Running videos: My favorite is the VRA YouTube channel, which offers virtual runs in various scenic locations.
You can read more about my simple home gym setup in this post:
Variations That Might Work for You
If running videos aren’t your thing, here are a couple of alternatives to try:
- Watch a favorite show or movie: Binge your favorite series to make workouts something to look forward to. Just be mindful of your pace—you don’t want to get too distracted while making cardio easier!
- Audiobooks or podcasts: These can keep your mind engaged without requiring constant visual attention.
Have You Tried These Tricks? What Makes Cardio Easier for You?
Cardio doesn’t have to be boring! Whether it’s running videos, your favorite playlist, or even catching up on a show, there are plenty of ways to make your workouts fly by.
Have you tried any of these tricks, or do you have your own secret to making cardio easier or at least more enjoyable? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and share your tips.