What is your favorite type of cardio?

[Tom Mutaffis]

Anyone who is concerned with body composition is probably including some type of cardiovascular exercise in their training program.

With traditional cardio viewed as somtimes boring and monotonous it can be tough to stay motivated. Luckily some alternative cardio methods have emerged and gained quite a bit of popularity over the past couple of years.

I am curious as to what kind of cardio people here prefer, and why? Do you feel that your method is more effective, or simply more fun?

Here are a few examples:

• Low Intensity Cardio (Walking, Elliptical, Etc.)
• High Intensity Cardio (Running, Elliptical, Stairclimber)
• Outdoor Cardio (Running, Cycling, Swimming, Rollerblading)
• Interval Training (Sprint / Walk)
• Rowing
• Crossfit / Barbell Complexes
• Sled Drags (And other GPP work like sandbag carry)
• SledgeHammer Cardio (Hitting a tire)
• Gym Circuits (Machine training with low rest periods)
• Spin Classes
• Kickboxing / Fitness Classes
• MMA Fighting
• Traditional Sports (Basketball, Baseball, etc.)
• Yoga
• I don't do cardio

**You can choose more than one option.

[Travis Bell]

Great thread Tom!

When I'm just trying to up my GPP, I do a lot of tire flips and prowler pushes, however for the past couple months I've been sticking to the eliptical.

It's just too difficult to keep my heart rate low enough when doing other stuff, on the eliptical I can keep the intensity low enough that I can burn fat.

Usually 15-20min on weight training days, 25-35min on non weight training days.

[Off Road]

I really like dragging the sled. Mostly because it's fun, but also because it doesn't interfere with my recovery. I can really feel it in my legs; I can pull it backwards for quads or forward for hams.

[JSully]

I love mountain biking.

Other than that, HIIT stairmaster, incline treadmill walking, tire flipping, vehicle push/pulling..

[Polish Hammer]

My faves...

-Hill Sprints on real hills or treadmills
-Box jumps with dumbells in hand
-Heavy bag work for timed "rounds"
-Farmers walks or just walking a mile or two with 30-40lb dumbells

If im really bloated and out of shape, I'll just walk around my neighborhood a few times. Lots of hills.

[d0rkyd00d]

Basketball, for sure. Frisbee too. Anything that involves running without focusing on running is great, because it doesn't feel like work.

I do stairclimber because it doesn't seem like it kills my heart and shins the way running does, but it's probably not as good for cardio, either.

I'd like to start doing some GPP.

[sharkall2003]

Crossfit: Allows me to stay in shape in terms of lifting some kind of weight and cardio simultaneously.

[BigCorey75]

I do barbell complexes at the end of each one of my weight workout.

today im going GPP with some tire flipping, sledge swinging and some truck pushing

soon im going to get into some sprint training as well

[rbtrout]

Basketball and float tubing.

[Pete22]

I don't do cardio now, but playing basketball was always my favorite. Damn... I need to start playing again lol.

[NickAus]

I like to do fast paced work after all my heavy training for the day.

An example would be Dumbell bench-standing chuck rows-band facepulls all done 4x15 with very little rest.

[Off Road]

Basketball and float tubing.

Float tubing as cardio? Can I count roll casting as a rotator cuff exercise?

[rbtrout]

Works for me.

Ever float tubed at a higher altitude in the wind - it's a workout.

[Irish Pilot]

After trying several options at several weeks a piece, LISS is my preferred route. Its not my favorite per se, but HIIT impaired my recovery too much during a cut.

Of all the varying times, inclines, resistance, etc. of several methods, 30 minutes of LISS at ~130bpm 5-6 days a week (usually immediately post workout) has proven to be my most consistant choice. Its quick, effortless, doesn't hurt recovery, and has shown to aid in fat loss as much as any other option Ive tried.

That being said...HIIT was amazing and set my hunger on FIRE...but just was too much, and Ive experienced better weight loss at 5 days of LISS over even down to 2-3 days of HIIT.

YMMV.

EDIT. For what its worth, there are things outside the gym (biking, walking with the wife, long walks to fishing spots, etc.) that are more "fun", but I dont consider them my cardio. When Im trying to cut weight, I make sure to have dedicated "cardio." Dont know exactly why...just helps keep me organized lol.

[Bodyguard]

I like to do 30 yard sprints with my tire sled.

[ThomasG]

Jump roping intervals.

[Clifford Gillmore]

Definately GPP work. Sledge hammer to tires, tire flips, Rickshaw runs.

As far as most effective, tabata sprints.

[Jay1]

Eliptical, treadmill, recombinant (sic) stationary bike. About 50 / 50 between low and high intensities.

[tomv]

As a former Crossfit practitioner I found it helped my cardio immensely. Things like sled runs are also a lot of fun.

[mr handy]

Cycling by far is my favorite... I was away from my bike this summer for a couple months and started playing basketball and enjoyed that... Cycling is the best, just you, the road, and the wind. It gives you time to think and just chill out. Nothing like pushing yourself to the point that you are ready to pass out or puke then still having to keep spinning because your 30 miles from home.

[Ryumexicano]

I love running. I also do HIIT sometimes. I don't really do anything besides running.

[brihead301]

I am a huge cardio-hater (such as long distance running, ellipticals, etc..), however I love taking these MMA classes which is ALL cardio. That really helps to keep my bf low!

[jp2]

Running out doors
Mountain biking
Running bleachers at the local highschool

[Tom Mutaffis]

I am interested in seeing how this shapes up as we get more responses.

Right now it looks like some of the non-traditional methods have prevailed, with standard cardio practices not too far behind.

Along with the same topic, how frequently do most of you include cardiovascular exercise? During strength training and bulking phases (most of my training) I will do cardio 1-2 times per week.

[cdavis50]

I love doing the elliptical, It's actually a cardio workout that I don't dread doing, and I throw in some normal jogging here and there. But I do it everyday that I work out on average 45mins...but I'm also trying to lose some blubber.