Your cardio routine doesn’t have to be a boring slog on the treadmill. In fact, there are plenty of sports that you can take part in that are enjoyable, and improve your fitness at the same time. Whether you want to exercise at home, join a gym, or join a sports club, the following exercises are sure to improve your fitness in no time at all.
Squash
Squash burns more fat than any type of cardio machine, and uses 50% more muscles than running. And, best of all, it is fun! Not only will you improve your cardiovascular health, but you will also improve your hand-eye co-ordination, and your range of movement. Because of the speed of squash, it is important to warm up correctly. However, this can be a really fun sport, that you can share with a friend or family member.
Swimming
Swimming is a great form of all round exercise, and can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what their age or fitness level. Not only can it minimise the chance of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, but it can also improve your mood and help you lose weight. Most swimming pools have adult only sessions, however if you want to work out daily, it might be worth speaking to compass-pools.co.uk, and having your own home pool installed. It’s an activity that the whole family can get involved in.
Football
The most popular sport in the world, football is perfect for those who want to improve their cardiovascular fitness whilst socialising. The nature of the game is stop-and-start, so players may be sprinting, jogging, walking or standing around during the 90 minutes. Skills will be picked up as confidence grows, and beginners teams can be found all over the country. Football can also improve endurance, flexibility and strength, and it can help with weight loss.
Cycling
Regular cycling can help you lose weight, reduce stress and improve your fitness. Currently enjoyed by over 3 million people in the UK each month, it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Because cycling can be used as a form of transport, it’s one of the easiest ways to include fitness into your daily routine. It’s also a low impact exercise so won’t hurt your joints as much as other forms of exercise such as running. Cycling also burns a lot of calories, which is one of the reasons why it’s the third most popular form of activity in the UK.
Rock Climbing
If you are looking for a bit more adventure in your life, rock climbing may be the ideal solution. There are courses for children as young as five, and even the elderly can get involved so long as they are mobile. Rock climbing uses a lot of muscle groups so can improve strength and stamina, whilst helping you to lose weight. It’s also been proven to help people suffering from mental illnesses. Although rock climbing isn’t as strenuous as some of the other sports on this list, getting out into the outdoors and socialising whilst getting fit is an awesome idea.
