Workout Routines You’ll Actually Enjoy

Workout routines don’t have to be rigorous and daunting. In fact, with a healthy diet and 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, your cardiovascular health can improve tremendously. So what’s the key to creating a workout routine that sticks? Having a good time!

Finding activities you actually enjoy is the No. 1 way to ensure exercising doesn’t become a chore. You can go for a hike, take a dance class or even walk the dog. As long as you’re keeping an elevated heart rate, those extra pounds will come off naturally.

To help kick start your journey to healthy living, here’s a list of workout routines that are great for cardio and a whole lot of fun.

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Fun Workout Routines

Zumba

If you’re looking for an exercise routine that’ll get you moving and keep it interesting, then Zumba is the perfect solution. You’ll be on the go constantly with this full-body workout. And depending on your sex, fitness level and body weight, you can burn anywhere from 400 to 600 calories per hour.

During this dance/fitness class combo, you’ll listen to fun beats as you meet new people and burn calories with Latin- and salsa-inspired moves.

Zumba classes are designed to accommodate all dance and fitness levels, making this is one healthy exercise routine everyone can enjoy.

Two left feet?

Step aerobic exercise routines are a great alternative for those a little less coordinated. This activity is another great workout for the cardiovascular system and still a lot of fun.

Inline skating

With this low-impact exercise, you’ll build cardio and endurance while toning the lower body, strengthening your quads and lifting those pesky glutes. The best part? This healthy exercise routine won’t even feel like a workout.

Just 30 minutes of inline skating at a moderate pace can burn between 210 and 460 calories, while 30 minutes of fast-paced interval skating can burn even more.

Enjoy countless health benefits as you glide over the pavement. A local bike path would make a great spot to test out your wheels.

Reminder: Please be sure to wear a helmet and knee and wrist pads, especially if you’re just learning.

Too cold outside?

Head indoors to a nearby roller rink or try an exercise that’s better suited to chilly weather like ice skating or skiing.

Kickboxing

Working out in the gym can make exercise routines feel monotonous and boring. If you’re looking for a way to mix it up and burn some serious calories with your workout routines, then kickboxing is definitely worth a try.

Combining martial arts techniques and heart-pumping cardio, kickboxing is a full-body workout. Instructors put together various kicking and punching routines that will leave you sweaty and breathless – and invigorated and ready for more.

If you weigh 150 pounds, you can expect to burn between 325 and 450 calories in just 30 minutes. With this activity you’ll tone up your core and body, learn self-defense and release tons of tension.

But remember, kickboxing is a high-energy workout and may require higher fitness levels. Be sure to start – and stay – at a pace that’s right for you.

Too intense?

Replace kickboxing with an aerobic exercise like jump-rope. Not only is this fun activity a blast from the past, but it’s an extremely effective full-body workout. Jumping rope for 10 minutes equals 30 minutes of running! Your fitness level and cardiovascular endurance will increase in no time.

Hiking

The great thing about hiking is that you can take your workout routines to so many places – a neighborhood park, a gorgeous nature preserve, a salt-splashed trail by the ocean … the options are endless. You just need a good pair of comfy shoes. (If you’re tackling tougher terrain, like steep climbs or paths strewn with tree roots, you should invest in a sturdy pair of hiking boots.)

Hiking is a great low-impact activity that’s easy on your joints. And as a weight-bearing exercise, hiking helps strengthen bones and decrease bone loss. Plus, you’ll burn loads of calories just from taking a simple walk in the woods. According to the American Hiking Society, you can expect to burn about 100 calories for each mile hiked. But you can up that figure if you pick up your pace a little. Just walking at a pace of 2.5 miles an hour will burn 250 calories.

Before you go: You should always have a map of your route and a phone in case you get lost. Also pack lots of water, snacks, and some sunscreen and bug spray if you’re out during the warm weather.

Too outdoorsy?

You can always take your walks inside. Hop on a treadmill and adjust the speed and incline to simulate a heart-pumping hike, minus the rain, bugs and heat. You can even head to the mall to get in your steps.

What are your favorite workouts? Tell us in the comments!