What Is the Best Way to Improve Cardio?

America is facing an epidemic and has been for a long time. No, we’re not talking about COVID-19, we’re talking about our waistlines. Over 70% of our adult population is either overweight or obese.

And how can we not be? The majority of our jobs are sedentary and most of our food is unhealthy. But don’t worry, you can still get fit and improve your quality of life.

The key is finding the best way to improve cardio (while cleaning up your diet). We want to help. Keep reading for our top five tips on how to get in the game and see results.

Find a Cardio Workout You Can Enjoy

If you’re looking for cardio workouts for beginners, it’s important to experiment with a handful of different exercises to see which you enjoy best. If working out is somewhat new to you, sticking to the plan will be easier if you get some enjoyment out of the workouts.

Most people learning how to start running, for example, don’t thoroughly enjoy it. However, as you improve, you will be surprised by how much that changes.
Stay Consistent and Write Everything Down

One of the most important factors in being successful in any walk of life is consistency. Whether we’re talking about marketing for a company or losing weight, if you’re not consistent, you won’t see results.

Furthermore, you need to write down every cardio workout to track your progress. This is perhaps the best way to improve cardio because it holds you accountable for your performance. Each week, you should be striving to go faster or longer than the week before.

Read this article to learn more about how to stick with a new cardio routine.
Incorporate H.I.I.T.

If you’re someone who gets bored easily, long slow-paced cardio routines may not be your best choice. In this case, we recommend high-intensity interval training.

H.I.I.T. cardio is all about short bursts of intense exercise followed by recovery periods. It is often considered the best way to improve cardio and burn fat.

Here’s an example using a treadmill:
- Run at 80% perceived exertion for 30 seconds
- Slow down to a recovery pace for 60-90 seconds
- Repeat 5-10 timesBecause you can modify H.I.I.T. workouts however you like, it’s also a great beginner cardio workout.
Change Things Up

We know we just told you to be consistent, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try new things. Our bodies are amazing machines that adapt very quickly to everything we throw at them. Change up your routine from time to time and switch methods.

For example, instead of doing your H.I.I.T. routine on the treadmill every time, try doing it on a row machine.
Make Your Workouts a Priority

The best way to improve cardio is by putting in the time. That can’t happen unless you make your workout a priority. Yes, we all have things like work, school, kids, and other obligations.

However, if you want to get healthier and stay fit, you can’t allow life to get in the way. Of course, you shouldn’t neglect your other responsibilities, but if working out means forfeiting an hour of TV watching, so be it.

Looking for the Best Way to Improve Cardio

We know how busy and hectic life can get. Just as importantly, we know how difficult it can be to start exercising. For most of us, it’s uncomfortable and unenjoyable, especially at first.

However, the best way to improve cardio is by committing yourself to a routine. And we bet you’ll even start to like it over time. For more advice about health and fitness, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go!