Tough Time Training
Posted by Sean on January 25, 2009
Image Source: Freewebs
So I really am bored with cardio. In fact I have almost eliminated it from my workout routine. I’m lucky if I run once during the week.
Aside from all my orthopedic problems, I really do get bored with just ‘going for a run’. Thankfully the ARC trainer’s at the gym have TV sets. So I can at least keep myself occupied for the 20 or 30 minutes I force myself to endure.
My rationale for eliminating cutting back on my ‘cardio’ was that I was burning enough calories doing my interval weight training. I don’t follow any ‘formal’ program like HIIT, or HIT, or Circuit Training. I do maximum effort, minimal rest, total body – large muscle movement workouts. A pseudo-HIT-HIIT-Circuit training program, toss in some CrossFit and Yoga movements aannnd that’s how I roll. 
So I can’t believe it didn’t dawn on me to apply my max effort – min rest theory to my running/ cardio exercise (or the lack-there-of).
Thanks to Israel over at Fat Man Unleashed and Mark over at Mark’s Daily Apple for spawning this idea in my training.
I can’t say I followed the Tabata spring method to a T. I once again did my own thang. 
Keeping in mind I have to use the ARC trainer, or something similar to an elliptical trainer due to my damaged joints. I ran a pseudo-HIT-Fartlek-Tabata routine for 30 minutes. I did 2 min max sprint effort followed by 30 second rest periods for a total of 9 sets(including a quick warm-up and cool down)
I must say I think my body will be slapping me silly for this tomorrow. I was ‘spaghetti-legged’ afterwards. And doing my CORE exercises turned out to be quite the challenge.
I liked the change, and in theory this type of training should give me more bang-for-my-buck, so I’m interested to see how this plays out over the coming months.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, there is a Dairy Queen Strawberry Shortcake Blizzard waiting for me in the other room (courtesy of my wife – THANKS! 
)
Carpe Diem
Strong One said
@ Tom Parker I wish I DIDN’T get bored. This at least changes things up a bit. Thanks
Strong One said
@ Tom Parker I wish I DIDN’T get bored. This at least changes things up a bit. Thanks
Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips said
Glad you found a way to enjoy your cardio Strong One. I never really get bored with it (I actually quite enjoy it). However, I try and mix it up when I can and definitely agree that adding more intensity to your cardio workouts makes them seem a lot quicker.
Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips said
Glad you found a way to enjoy your cardio Strong One. I never really get bored with it (I actually quite enjoy it). However, I try and mix it up when I can and definitely agree that adding more intensity to your cardio workouts makes them seem a lot quicker.
Caroline said
As soon as I read that you are bored with cardio, I thought…he should Crosfit!
So apparently you do, as I learned when I read further. I do, too! I love it. Do you have a CF affiliate out there? It really cured my boredom problem. No 2 days are even remotely similar. There are several RN’s at our gym…I love going. Hope you can find your groove soon!
Strong One said
@ Caroline Thanks! We don’t have a ‘formal’ Crossfit affiliate out here, but I do use Crossfit exercises and techniques.
Caroline said
As soon as I read that you are bored with cardio, I thought…he should Crosfit!
So apparently you do, as I learned when I read further. I do, too! I love it. Do you have a CF affiliate out there? It really cured my boredom problem. No 2 days are even remotely similar. There are several RN’s at our gym…I love going. Hope you can find your groove soon!
Strong One said
@ Caroline Thanks! We don’t have a ‘formal’ Crossfit affiliate out here, but I do use Crossfit exercises and techniques.