Cardio doesn't have to consist of half an hour of abject boredom on the stationary bike or treadmill.

This morning, here's how I did my cardio:

First, I began with a few minutes of body-weight squats.
Next, I went for a brisk walk outside through the city streets.
Finally, when I arrived home, I did my short-duration hamstring stretches.

Overall, I kept my heart rate in the intended range.

The time flew by - and by the time I had finished, not only had I done my morning's cardio, but I had also made many beneficial body movements and woekn my mind up in a positive way. It made a change from the usual drudgery/punishment on the bike, etc, that just makes me long to go back to bed!

I heard of this kinda stuff. Cardio doesn't even have to be running. Ross Enamait once gave me this routine:

"5 Towel Pull-ups + 10 Burpees + 15 Divebombers

Repeat 10 times as fast as possible

This drill blends conditioning with strength. You move fast through each sequence."

That routine will definetely get your heart rate up and build some functional strength.

- Load up 20-30% of your max on a squat and start going.
- Load a light barbell and snatch for high reps.
- Shoulder squat some dumbbells and press them overhead on the concentric to do thrusters.
- Create an exercise complex and repeat. Example: hang clean to front squat to push press.
- Blend lifting with cardio. Do front or dumbbell squats or barbell snatches and then immediately sprint 50-100 meters. Jog back and repeat.
- Create an obstacle course to repeatedly run through.

Cardio doesn't have to consist of half an hour of abject boredom on the stationary bike or treadmill.
Got a dog? It is nearly a crime to see dogs pinned up or in the house all day. The best thing for a dog is exercise, he need to walk about 30 minutes twice a day. the owner needs to do it. Do that you will have a happier and more healthy dog. Don't believe me ask the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan is on National Geographic Channel 8pm EST Friday nights - his book is #4 on non-fiction list.:tucool:

[QUOTE=philph]Cardio doesn't have to consist of half an hour of abject boredom on the stationary bike or treadmill.

I rarely do the same cardio routine more than once a week. I like to alternate walking on an incline for three minutes, then jogging for two. Maybe the next day I'll jog for 15 then hop on a bike for 15. Sometimes I do intervals at the park, and sometimes I do them at the gym. If I an feeling unexited about a particular type of cardio, then I don't do it. I place less emphasis on heart rate and the science behind cardio, and more on doing what makes it fun for me.

Cardio doesn't have to consist of half an hour of abject boredom on the stationary bike or treadmill.

Are you singing my song or what?

This is actually what rtestes is getting at with all those times that he recommends short rest - you can turn traditional lifting into cardio.

The think I like to point out here is how convenient it is to use a heart monitor, so you can tell what dose of cardio you are getting. Taking your pulse is not as convenient but it can work. But with a heart monitor, you can do anything and figure out what cardio equivalent it is.