Running is a go-to cardio option for a lot of people, but in reality there are a lot of other options that can burn the same amount or even more calories. Of course the most important thing is finding workouts that you actually enjoy so that you will stick with them. Here are some options.
Indoor Cycling
Taking a spin 0r indoor cycling class can help you burn tons of calories. A man that weighs 185 pounds can start off burning 300 calories per 30 minutes, but most spin classes are 45 minutes long, and a lot of them are high intensity where you will burn even more than that. Try out a few different teachers to find make sure you find one that pushes you hard enough. (And also that you’re cool with their music choices, because a lot of spin has to do with riding to the music.)
Indoor Rowing
If you use a rowing machine with good form, a guy who weighs around 185 pounds can burn up to 12.5 calories per minute. Get in a 30 minute minute set and that adds up to 377 calories. While it might seem like rowing just works the arms, it uses your core strength, legs, back, and shoulders as well so it’s a pretty good total body workout.
Jump Squats
The Tabada jump squats can burn up to 13.4 calories per minute when done properly. A study at the Auburn University at Montgomery determined this after having participants do 8 rounds of 20 seconds of jump squats followed by ten seconds of rest between each. They also increased their post-exercise metabolic rate, which means that even at rest you will continue to burn more calories than you would if you were at rest without the preceding workout.
Jumping Rope
Have you ever noticed how quickly you get out of breath jumping rope? That’s because it is an excellent cardio activity. Skipping at a moderate pace can burn around 13 calories per minute. When you skip rope you pretty much have to use your entire body, and you also have to keep your balance and coordination going which can require extra focus and calorie blasting.
The “CINDY” Workout
The CINDY is a crossfit workout that can burn around 13 calories per minute. It is basically a circuit where you switch from doing sets of pull ups, push ups, and air squats, repeating over a 20 minute period. Since you’re getting up and down and going all over the place the workout uses a ton of energy and burns calories quick. Plan on doing 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, and then 15 air squats before starting over. Do as many rounds as you can in a 20 minute period. If you don’t have a pull up bar you can modify this circuit in some way that will fit what you do have. You might cut the calorie burn a bit, but you could do some bicep curls with free weights or even switch to jumping jacks.
It’s spin class for me all day
Running is just easy to me since you don’t have to do it at the gym