If you have a regular fitness routine, you may prefer alternating between days of cardio and days of strength training. On your strength training days, don't just jump right into your squats and lateral raises. Do a little cardio before you lift. Warm up for five minutes of easy cardio such as speed walking or jogging, and ramp up your pace for another five minutes with running, biking, or jumping rope. It's just enough to get your blood flowing and your heart rate up, and will also warm your muscles and tendons. This increases your muscles’ elasticity, allowing you to endure a longer workout, and prevent injury.
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Agent Provocateur
Variety in any exercise program is always a good idea to avoid the "plateau effect". Altternating cardio with strength training is a great start in doing just that. You can even take it a step further but changing up the TYPE of cardio you do. For example, maybe on cardio day 1, you can go for a run, while on your next cardio day you might want to do something like spinning. This not only helps avoid the dreaded "plateau", but it also prevents boredom which can be detrimental to any one trying to get in shape.
1I am all about changing things up to prevent plateuing and boredom. I recently did some intervals with jumping rope and I had forgotten what a tough workout jumping rope is. It is a great cardio workout and calorie scorcher!
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