Choosing the Best Form of Cardio

Do the Cardio you LOVE!

Doing your first cardio workout can be a little overwhelming, particularly if you're doing it at a gym. There are rows and rows of different machines to choose from and a schedule of classes you can attend. So the big question is, do you walk, row, step, or dance your way to fitness? Which is best?

The answer is, any of the above. You should do whatever you enjoy the most — just make sure you're pushing yourself and keeping your heart rate at 85 percent of maximum. Sure, some machines are more effective than others just the way some classes are more intense than others. But if you dread and avoid certain exercises, it will be harder to motivate yourself, right?

Whatever activity you decide on, make sure to keep it fresh. If you've been doing the treadmill for a while, switch to group class for a few weeks (Zumba, anyone?). Or, if you feel like you've been wearing out your spot in class, venture out of your comfort zone and check out what's happening over at the cardio machines. There are a ton of options when it comes to cardio. The important things is to keep changing it up every once in a while so that you avoid the workout plateau and keep yourself challenged and motivated.