Running is no doubt one of the best exercises anyone can do. It helps us lose weight, build endurance, elevate our metabolism and the list just goes on and on. However, it is also important to perform the exercises that you enjoy. If running is not your thing, then you will be unable to stick with it as a lifestyle. So here are some cardio exercises you can perform, for people who dislike long distance running.

1, Swimming.

一，游泳。

Swimming is a great cardio activity, in fact, one of the best. The only thing about them is that not everyone lives near a swimming pool. If you live somewhere near one, then be sure to make full use of it. Swimming is great for fat burning due to several reasons: it uses all the muscles in your body, and you are working your body against the current, which takes a lot of energy. Try incorporating swimming into your workout routine to see better and faster results.

2, Cycling.

二，骑车。

Cycling might not be as efficient as swimming a mentioned above, but it is definitely another great cardio to perform. Using stationary bikes are great for getting your heart rate up and toning up your leg muscles, but a better alternative would be getting an actual bike and go cycle around your neighborhood. Cycling using an actual bike is much better than the stationary one as some roads have an inclination and you need more energy to pedal against the friction from the wheels. But either way, both kinds of cycling would definitely go your heart a great job.

3, Walking.

三，走路。

Walking to many seems like a useless exercise because it seems too slow paced and doesn’t look intense enough to burn fat. But the truth is, walking is an excellent exercise for both fat loss and building endurance. Sure, it doesn’t seem like much work but try walking non-stop for 30 minutes on a treadmill or around your neighborhood, or better yet adding inclination or increasing your speed, that would definitely do the trick of changing your perception of this exercise. Plus, walking does not strain your legs too much, which is great for people who are looking to get slim legs. 

4, Hiking.

四，爬山。

Just like swimming, hiking cannot be done anywhere, obviously, which is why this makes it a very great exercise for occasional days. Hiking would definitely use up a whole lot of your energy and strengthen your muscles, due to all the climbing and walking. As there is a lot of climbing to do, this is a great way to get stronger and more toned legs, as supposed to doing only walking. Hiking is definitely not something you can do every day, so make it a great family bonding activity or hanging out with your friends. 

5, Stairs-climbing.

五，走楼梯。

Stairs can be found almost everywhere, which makes this exercise pretty versatile. If you’re afraid people would look at you weird when you walk up and down the stairs, or if you’re afraid you might encounter any danger during your stairs-climbing session, opt for using the stairs in your house, if you stay in a house of double story and above, or use the stair master in your gym. This is a great exercise to tone your legs because of all the elevating you need to do that really work out your legs.

6, Sprinting.

六，快跑。

Hearing the word sprinting is already enough to make people feel afraid, as this is an exercise that sounds like it would make any go out of breath real quick. But that is the purpose of sprinting! Although it might sound scary, it can be really fun, too. The best way to incorporate sprinting into your workout routine is to do sprint intervals, where you run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds, and repeat the interval several times. You can obviously change up the time to what makes you feel good. Just like running or walking, you can do this on a treadmill or do it around your neighborhood.

7, Kickboxing.

七，踢拳道。

This might not be too common for a cardio workout, but it can be very effective. Sure, kickboxing does require some equipment, such as boxing gloves and the boxing bag, which is usually found in the gym. But if you do not prefer going to the gym, you could try to do “shadow boxing” where you do the kickboxing in the air. There are many models that go for this cardio workout, as it is efficient in toning your arms and legs, and with all the movements they would definitely contribute to your cardio session.

8, Dancing.

八，跳舞。

Many people do not consider this a cardio, as it seemed like any other “entertaining” activity, but given that if you dance and have your heart rate elevated, it can be considered a cardio workout. You don’t necessarily have to join a dancing school or club, you could actually do it in the comfort of your own room following videos that can be found online. This is definitely a fun way to incorporate cardio into your workout, and also help you improve your dancing moves. 

With these cardio exercises, there are no excuses as to why you cannot start working out. The next thing you might say is that you do not have time for this, but know that some of these can be done in a short amount of time, such as sprint intervals or kickboxing. But of course, something to be reminded of is that dedication and consistency are key and that no amount of exercise can outweigh a bad diet. 

“It’s not what Tom Friedman writes about, I’m sorry. You’re going to see that global climate change is very real. And that for some people, their day consists of walking 12 miles for four buckets of water. And so there are lessons that you can’t get out of a book that are waiting for you at the other end of that flight. A lot of people - American and Europeans – come back and go “ohhh.” And the lightbulbs goes on.”

*Disclaimer: The writer is not a trainer, bodybuilder or any health expert. These exercises, like any other exercises, could be dangerous and could cause injuries. Before attempting any of these exercises, make sure they are appropriate for your strength, flexibility, endurance and overall health. If these exercises are too hard on your body or are causing you pain in any way, do not continue working out with them. Only proceed with them if they make you feel right. These exercises are just based on the researches done and experiences of the writer, and please take into account that they might not be suitable for everyone. The writer would not be responsible for any physical, emotional, or medical issues that have happened due to the extracted information is shown.