I hate cardio. Let me just put that out there for those reading this. I’ll legitimately go out of my way just to skip out on cardio. “Want to go for a run James?” Hell no I don’t! That being said, I do believe that every weight lifting routine should incorporate at least some kind of cardio just to maintain cardiovascular health. Now, with that being said, I used to never do cardio, and I can also tell you that it’s not completely necessary to build a great physique. Take me for example, lifting 5 days a week with no cardio whatsoever:

Not bad, but that doesn’t exactly mean I was “healthy.” Remember, cardio IS important. Don’t skip out on it just because it sucks. But that’s what I’m going to teach you here: how to not hate cardio.

Step #1 - Embrace It

The first step is getting the right mindset. If you’ve been lifting weights for a while, you know the rush of endorphins that comes from it. Endorphins are a product of what is known as “runner’s high,” and is known as the “feel good hormone.” We get this reward post-run or post-workout. Sure, it absolutely sucks going for a run, gasping for air half the time, but the feeling afterwards is nothing short of amazing. Just remember that feeling, and imagine how great you’ll feel after you’ve gone for that run or morning jog. Keep that in mind.

Step #2 - Do Forms of Cardio You Actually Enjoy

If you absolutely hate running more than anything in the world, here’s my advice for you: don’t do it. However, DO find some form of cardio that you actually enjoy. Some of my favorites include cycling, kayaking, jump-rope, sprints, and swimming. My all time favorite is walking though… it’s low impact, easy to get in, and you can listen to podcasts while doing so. Sports are another fantastic form of cardio, especially the cardio that comes from running up and down the basketball court, playing tennis, or running around bases in baseball. Heck, even mowing the lawn counts as cardio, or raking the leaves among other forms of yard work.

Quick tip: Wear an activity tracker every day and track your daily steps. You see, the majority of our calories burned during the day come from NEPA (non-exercise physical activity), not from weightlifting. If you’re walking 30,000 steps a day, you’re burning some serious calories and creating one heck of a calorie deficit.