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Ask the TrainerChris Antonio

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10-18-08// Making Cardio Less Painful
How can I make cardio less painful?

Chris:
I began working out in March and have had great results. I lift weights 3 times a week and have increased my cardio from 2 to 5 times a week. I've lost 40 pounds and am very happy but I have to admit the cardio workouts are driving me crazy. I really don't mind lifting weights but I only do cardio because I know I must to get the results I'm looking for. Sometimes I have to literally force myself onto the cardio deck before I leave the gym for the evening. Is there any way to make cardio workouts less painful?

Trina

Trina:

They say nothing good comes without a price, but that doesn't mean you have to torture yourself to get the results you're looking for.

Here are a few of the tricks I have used over the years to make my workouts more bearable.

Use the leap frog technique. Doing the same cardio machine for 30 minutes straight may feel similar to getting a manicure a pair of pliers but it doesn't have to be that way. You can break the monotony by jumping from one machine to the next giving you're mind and body a chance to recover.

If you're shooting for 30 total minutes try splitting it into three consecutive 10 minute sessions on the machines of you're choice. A good example would be jogging for ten minutes on the treadmill, using the stair climber for 10 minutes and finishing up with 10 minutes on the elliptical.

Motivate with music. Remember how you felt the first time you saw Rocky Balboa run thought the streets of Philadelphia with the theme song Gonna Fly Now playing in the background well you too can create the same effect by burning the tunes of you're choice onto you're I pod and listening to it during you're workout.

Use a split routine. On days when you have a little extra time split you're cardio workouts into 2 shorter sessions. If you're workout plan calls for 40 minutes of cardio do twenty in the morning and twenty in the evening. It's sometimes a lot less painful to do 2 shorter workouts than one big one.

Harness morning energy. Hitting the gym after a long day at work can be hard for anyone that's why I often suggest doing cardio first thing in the morning when you're body is fresh and well rested. It may take a little getting used to if you're not a morning person but it may very well be the difference between success and failure for those of us that work long hours.

Boost energy levels with a cup of Joe. On days when you're having trouble getting the energy to go to the gym try throwing back a tall cup of coffee. The caffeine coffee helps increase endurance, boost alertness and can help give you the energy you need to finish a workout even when you're feeling tired and unmotivated. Recent studies even suggested that drinking coffee before you're workout may help reduce post workout soreness.

So what are you waiting for? Give these techniques a try they have certainly worked for me.

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