Cardio Favorites 2

My other favorite cardio exercise is swimming.  I have said, semi-seriously, more than once, that my personal aromatherapy scents are chlorine and sunscreen and maybe a hint of grape soda because those are the smells of my childhood summers.

Swimming is a great cardio exercise for a bunch of reasons.  It’s not an impact sport, so it’s easy on the joints.  The water provides resistance, so it’s a good amount of work.  The work is in water, natch, so there isn’t that uncomfortable sweaty feeling.

 

There’s a funny thing about swimming for me.  I am not a particularly great swimmer.  I couldn’t do a flip turn to save my life and I have never met a pair of goggles that I like.  What’s great is that it doesn’t really matter.  I get a perfectly good workout and I have a fabulous time.  Over time, I am improving, but I don’t have any Big Goals about swimming, except not drowning.

 

Go play.

Cardio Favorites 1

For years, August has been, to be polite, not my favorite month.  I have learned not to plan to get anything in particular done during August.  This year, my coping strategy is:  lean into my favorite things.  All month, I’ll be highlighting my favorite fitness things!

This week, I’m starting with my favorite cardio exercises because there really is nothing better for lifting mood than getting in some heart-pounding work.

 

My very favorite cardio comes from bikes.  There is no quicker way to make me feel like an ecstatic nine-year-old than to pop me on a bike.  I like the kind of work I do when I ride, I like getting outside, I like zooming around.

 

When it is dark or wet, I have my spin bike, which is nearly as good.  The scenery isn’t much, but I have good music and a distinct lack of excuses to get going.

 

What’s your very favorite?  (More of mine tomorrow!)

Monday Workout: Upper and Core

One of the things we’re working on this week is weight bearing on the upper body.  For bonus points, all the exercises that work on that also work on our core strength.  Three rounds.

 

step touch	30
renegade rows	20
hip rotations	10
step ups	30
good morning/deadlift	20
diamond pushup	10
woodchoppers	30
skullcrushers	20
plank up down	10