Get Fit Faster Without Cardio
In this article I want to explore a different alternative to cardio workouts and how you can get in shape faster in less time.
Most doctors and "fitness" gurus will argue that you must have cardio in your exercise routine. If you want to burn fat it is considered an absolute necessity to do cardio. The question is do you really need cardio to get lean and in great shape? Many of the trimmest, leanest and fit people (men and women) NEVER do any kind of "traditional" cardio.
What is normal or traditional cardio? When you say cardio to most people they think of long monotonous sessions on the treadmill, or a staionary bike or pumping away on an elliptical machine next to the smoothie bar at a high tech fitness gym. These are the typical exercises that most people consider to be cardio and are the general types of exercises they do as "cardio". Most people get
bored to death with this routine and quit after a couple of months.
A truer definition of "cardio" however can be considered any routine or exercise that builds up the cardiovascular system. If it gets your heart pumping and your breathing to deepen then it’s cardio! So if you take a set of challenging weights and do 15 clean and presses (which means you are lifting it from the floor up to the shoulders and then pressing it overhead) believe me your heart rate will be elevated probably to 80% of its recommended max and you will be breathing hard-just as if you had done 10 sets of wind sprints. (which incidentally is far more effective at burning fat than jogging is)
After the 10 C&P next move on to 15 reps of one armed snatches or swings with freeweights or a kettlebell and then feel your legs turn to rubber, your heart racing and lungs gasping for breath. Cardio once again! Nobody can seriously claim that this is not cardio. You are definitely training your heart! Despite people thinking this is just weight training you are also fullfilling your cardio exercise needs here as well.
These types of interval, variable full body exercises recommended above will save you time and also have the added benefit of strengthening and conditioning almost every muscle in your body as well as the heart. The same thing cannot be said for sitting on a stationary bicycle in front of the TV doing the recommended boring, monotonous "cardio". If you are able to read or watch TV while doing your workout then you are probably not doing it with the necessary intensity or concentration to burn fat and build muscle.
I am not against cardio just traditional cardio the way it is usually recommended. If you really want to burn fat and strengthen your cardiovascular system at the same time give your traditional cardio routines a rest for a couple of months. Start training with full body, resistance training workouts that work all the major muscle groups and you will see yourself get leaner, more defined and your abs will begin to show through what used to be ugly belly fat.
Learn more about designing a workout and training program that really works to get you that fit and beautiful body you deserve here:
http://www.thetruthaboutabs.com
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