In the last decade, there has been a huge shift away from traditional long aerobic classes of cardio and a grand movement toward the more time efficient cardio blast workouts.
Lorrie Henry, CPT of
Chiseled Gym says these workouts are designed to offer a unique combination of high energy effort and old fashioned calisthenics.
Henry states that cardio blast workouts can be a very effective way to get your heart rate up and move you into a great performance zone for fat burning.
Henry says these workouts, if incorporated into a daily routine, can really energize you throughout the entire day.
Most cardio blast workouts vary in time from as short as 10 minutes to 35 minutes, including warm-up and cool down and consist of a variety of body weight shifting exercises.
Each exercise can be performed for 30 seconds or longer and Henry says if you are a beginning exerciser, you will want to take time to build up some endurance for the exercises but should quickly increase the pace, once each exercise is mastered.
According to Henry, cardio blast workouts are so effective that many professional trainers like herself routinely incorporate 1-2 minutes of these exercises between sets of weight training sessions.
Cardio blast exercises help maximize their clients’ efforts to lose unwanted body fat while toning and strengthening muscles.
Henry says cardio blast workouts are great for everyone, as long as the focus is always on maximum effort throughout the entire workout, meaning very little rest or just rest as needed.
Henry feels that cardio blast workouts are the secret for most people because it takes away the excuses for not having enough time to workout.
Cardio blast workouts require nothing more than your own body in motion with maximum effort.
Doing a regular routine of cardio blast workouts, Henry says, you are sure to shed unwanted pounds.
So, remember, always start with a good five minute warm-up, maximize the effort and have yourself a cardio blast.
Henry’s Sample 20 Minute Cardio Blast Routine5 Minute, In Place Easy Marching (warm-up)
2 Minute, Overall Standing Body Stretch
15 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, High Energy High Knees
15 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, High Energy Butt Kicks
30 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, High Energy Forward/Back Scissors w/ Coordinated Arm Movement
30 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, High Energy Squat Jumps
30 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, Trunk Rotators
30 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, Rocking Horses, Alternating Legs after 30 Seconds
30 Seconds, In Place Jogging
1 Minute, Skaters, low and lateral
3 Minute, In Place Marching (cool down)
** Consult with your physician before engaging in any exercise routine **
