Life is, as we know, all about balance. The right amount of sleep will help you to perform better when you’re awake, the right amount of salt rebalances your body as you drink water - and any idleness should, of course, be balanced out with an active lifestyle. So far, so good; yet, it can be surprisingly hard to make your exercise routine as varied as possible.
I've recently been getting into exercise again, trying to drag myself to the gym at least a couple of times a week - and it's become such a mood booster for me when done right. However, it's good to keep switching it up. If you only focus on cardio, you’ll miss out on all the great benefits of doing strength exercises and vice versa. I've mainly been focusing on lifting heavy, but it's always good switch it up a bit and focus on some other aspects of fitness. That’s why I've put together this little article to help you along the way and kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, by enjoying workouts that will improve both your cardiovascular health and build strength at the same time.
The good news is that most of these activities are really fun - and you’ll hardly notice that you’re working out.
Swimming
Swimming really is the ultimate exercise for your heart and muscles. The resistance of the water makes it possible to exercise your entire body at once and the fact that it’s so good for your heart makes it even better.
Make time for an hour of swimming every week and you’re already doing a lot to maintain the strength of your body while simultaneously improving your lung capacity, heart health, etc - the list goes on. My gym unfortunately doesn't have a pool, but it's something I really want to get more into - especially in the summer.
CyclingWhile you may get a lot of benefits out of cycling on those stationary bikes at the gym, it’s much better for your mental health to cycle in nature. Just make sure you have a proper insurance before heading off on a long trip, though, such as this comprehensive one from Velosure. It’s the perfect alternative for leg-day and you’ll get a kickass workout that you’ll actually enjoy - especially now that it’s summer.
It’s sure to get your heart pumping, your legs burning and, most importantly, the feeling of being out in nature will surely brighten your mood more than any gray gym is able to do. If cycling isn't your thing, a brisk walk is also perfect for clearing your mind, getting out into nature and the blood pumping a little bit.
Power yoga
Yoga is a really versatile activity and you can adjust it to suit any fitness level. If you’re looking for a harder workout than those mindfulness-sessions seem to offer, you should try power yoga; it makes the workout a bit harder while also adding elements of cardio - just what you’re looking for, in other words.
While there are a lot of great videos on YouTube to guide you through it if you’re new to power yoga, you can also wamp up your regular routine by focusing on doing 1 movement per breath and repeating it at least 3 times before completing another sequence where you hold the poses for 10 breaths.
You’ll flow through the sequence, feel your heart pump a bit faster, and put those muscles to work - all in one yoga session. I recommend starting out with a class if you're new to the practice, it will really help you master the moves and breathing with some more guidance. If you're feeling adventurous, I also love hot yoga as it really helps with flexibility and joints whilst getting a good sweat on.
These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg and you can probably think of many more workouts where you get the best of both cardio and strength.
