Best cardio workout?

[UMFan]

I'm looking for some suggestions on great cardio workouts for cutting. I usually do a 45 - 60 min cardio session in the morning before work, but I'm getting tired of the same workouts. I'm looking for maximum calorie burning, but I also want to keep performance in mind and push heart rates. Does anyone ever try rowing? I've heard this is great. What about running hills? Just curious what your favorite cardio workouts are. I'm interested in A) type, B) duration, C) heart rate goals, etc.

Any and all input will be valued

[HawaiianPride.]

Nobody here can design an effective routine for you but yourself through trial and error. With that being said, look into HIIT routines. Examples..

30 second jog (moderate speed)
20 second sprint (full speed)
30 second jog (moderate speed)
20 second sprint (full speed)
30 second walk (normal walk)
30 second jog (moderate speed)
20 second sprint (full speed)
30 second jog (moderate speed)
20 second sprint (full speed)
10 second walk (normal speed)

Or

Traditional Sprints (Outdoor on Track)

Warm up:
2 min brisk walk then 25% jog (30 sec)
2 min brisk walk then 50% run (20 sec)
2 min brisk walk then 90% sprint (15 sec)
3 min walk

Workout:
Sprint 100% (5 to 10 sec) then 4 minute walk
Repeat multiple times

Or other modes such as:
* Cycling hills
* Swimming
* Rowing
* Jump Rope
* Plyometrics
* Agility Drills

[UMFan]

I like the interval running idea. I tried this today and it was GREAT!

1 mile jog (warm up)

400m sprint
100m walk
x3

100m jog

50m walk
50m jog
100m sprint
x4

1 mile jog

This really gassed me. Thanks for the idea-

[CFforged]

Rowing, big time.

Try 500m sprint, all out effort x3 with 3 minutes rest in between

I guarantee if you give each 500m your full effort you will be layed out on the floor feeling like you're going to die! LOL

[UMFan]

HAHA....ok I'll try it tomorrow and let you know

[HawaiianPride.]

Glad things are looking up. Keep us posted.

[UMFan]

Man, I tried the 500m sprints and they wasted me. I can barely keep a sprint up that long! I love it...i think I'm going to do intervals twice a week for the next 3 months and track progress. I'm going to continue with my routine but add in the 500m as well. Something like this: 500m x2, 400m x2, 100m x3, plus a 1 mile mile warm up and cool down jog. Oh ya, I'm going to try rowing on Monday too. I'll keep ya posted

[HawaiianPride.]

Yeah that sounds brutal. I was never a fan of cardiovascular training, and definitely not a fan of intervals lol.

I do enjoy utilizing swimming for cardio though. I get my tan on while exercising my heart

[UMFan]

Man, swimming is supposed to be the best. My wife swims but I just can't handle it. It turns out I'm better at lying on the beach getting tan than actually swimming It's something I definitely want to suck it up and just do it....one day!

[UMFan]

Hey CFforged, I did a row workout today and it was GREAT! I had planned on doing a 20 mins LISS cardio workout after I hit legs but I was feeling pretty good today so decided to do 20 mins of rowing instead. Oh boy, what a workout...lol. I appreciate the suggestion, I'm going to start throwing this in once a week

[NVR2BIG1]

mountain biking!!! Bought one last spring and usually did 1-2x/wk on the trails for 60-90 minutes. Went to have my stress test done in August, they pulled me off the bike at 14 minutes because legally they couldnt let me ride it any longer. My heart rate never hit its target rate!!!

[HawaiianPride.]

mountain biking!!! Bought one last spring and usually did 1-2x/wk on the trails for 60-90 minutes. Went to have my stress test done in August, they pulled me off the bike at 14 minutes because legally they couldnt let me ride it any longer. My heart rate never hit its target rate!!!

Great way to get the core nice and strong too.

[jypoll]

20 mins of sprints, i prefer stair sprints, is better than 45 min jog

[bodybuilder]

I agree^^^. I sprint up and down a large flight of stairs for about 30min. A lot less boring then running the treadmill for 45-60min.

[UMFan]

Stair sprints, now THAT'S a workout! Mountain biking is great too, unfortunately some f***er stole my bike outta my garage. What a bastard...

[mulldog55]

what about kickboxing cardio?

[oldschoolfitness]

one i like for myself over the summer was 10 min bike (warm up, fast pace then cool down) followed by boxing for 2 min rounds. sometimes i would alternate 2min box, 2 min bike, and 25 crunches. just a little something different (30-45min sessions)

[UMFan]

one i like for myself over the summer was 10 min bike (warm up, fast pace then cool down) followed by boxing for 2 min rounds. sometimes i would alternate 2min box, 2 min bike, and 25 crunches. just a little something different (30-45min sessions)

Were you shadow boxing or using a bag? I used to work out on a bag and it was great, but I no longer have one. Sucks

[mulldog55]

i have one i like to do where i do 20 sledgehammer swings (10 on each arm), 2 min on the bag doing 4 combo drills, then 25 crunches. when i was religous by doing it i was seeing quick results