Cardio and Conditioning Exercises
Are you ever bored with cardio machines? Or long-distance running? Here are some other options that are often used at Real World Fitness
PROWLER AND PULLING A SLED
The prowler is my favorite tool for when I want to do conditioning work. It's can be an extremely hard workout, but at the same time is suitable for most people. It can be done with heavier weights for shorter distances or lighter for longer distances. The prowler push is great for conditioning and work capacity training and can be modified for your goals whether your goals are, active recovery, strength, muscle endurance, weight loss, or muscular hypertrophy by changing the load used, length of sprint and rest periods.
HITTING A TYRE WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER
Another exercise that people tend to enjoy and finds it helps with stress. Sledgehammer training was popular with old school boxers to help get in shape for their fights and seems to have gained in popularity again in recent years.
As well as being very effective for cardio it has the added benefit is that it helps improve grip strength.
MEDICINE BALL SLAMS
I normally do these as part of a circuit rather than by itself. It's a full body exercise, good cardio and easy to add to a circuit.
DUMBBELL OR KETTLEBELL SWINGS
Swings are a great full body exercise with emphasis on the hamstrings, hips and back muscles that I often use on their own, or part of a circuit. They can be a part of a circuit or done on their own. When done by itself self I'll often do a certain amount of reps as fast as I can and try to beat that time next time, for example, 100 or 200m reps. Another option is having a set time and doing as many reps as you can in that time and try to beat that each time (eg 10 minutes).
- Prowler and pulling a sled
- Hitting a tire with a sledgehammer
- Medicine ball slams
PROWLER AND PULLING A SLED
The prowler is my favorite tool for when I want to do conditioning work. It's can be an extremely hard workout, but at the same time is suitable for most people. It can be done with heavier weights for shorter distances or lighter for longer distances. The prowler push is great for conditioning and work capacity training and can be modified for your goals whether your goals are, active recovery, strength, muscle endurance, weight loss, or muscular hypertrophy by changing the load used, length of sprint and rest periods.
HITTING A TYRE WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER
Another exercise that people tend to enjoy and finds it helps with stress. Sledgehammer training was popular with old school boxers to help get in shape for their fights and seems to have gained in popularity again in recent years.
As well as being very effective for cardio it has the added benefit is that it helps improve grip strength.
MEDICINE BALL SLAMS
I normally do these as part of a circuit rather than by itself. It's a full body exercise, good cardio and easy to add to a circuit.
DUMBBELL OR KETTLEBELL SWINGS
Swings are a great full body exercise with emphasis on the hamstrings, hips and back muscles that I often use on their own, or part of a circuit. They can be a part of a circuit or done on their own. When done by itself self I'll often do a certain amount of reps as fast as I can and try to beat that time next time, for example, 100 or 200m reps. Another option is having a set time and doing as many reps as you can in that time and try to beat that each time (eg 10 minutes).