Cardio has become essential for bodybuilders and athletes, offering numerous benefits. Bodybuilding behemoth, Jay Cutler shared some interesting insights on how to make cardio enjoyable. He highlighted that cardio doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can turn it into an enjoyable part of your fitness routine.

Not only does cardio enhance bodybuilding routines, but it also improves cardiovascular health. However, in a series of daily workout tips, Cutler shared creative ways to make cardio fun in an Instagram video. Accompanying the clip Jay Cutler wrote in the caption, “They say variety is the spice of life and I’ve found that to be especially true with keeping on a consistent cardio regimen.”

The 50-year-old, while doing cardio himself, acknowledged that cardio can be daunting, especially for those preparing for competitions. However, he emphasized the importance of making it interesting. His strategy? Mix it up. “For me, I like to switch the cardio around,” said Cutler. He further added a few things you can add, “either do bike, step mill, treadmill, a salt bike, elliptical, or even swimming. There are a lot of different variations you can use for your cardio.”

Furthermore, the comeback kid explained that bodybuilders aim for a slow burn to keep metabolism steady and focus on cardiovascular health. To make cardio time pass quickly, Jay Cutler keeps his mind busy by “listening to music, watching YouTube or podcasts, sometimes working or journaling.” This way, one can keep their workouts engaging and effective.

Keeping your mind engaged is crucial, whether it’s music, videos, or other distractions. He believes that extra cardio can help you achieve peak shape and overall health. “Find the niche for you that will not steer you away from doing your cardio,” said Cutler. According to him, it provides the additional push needed to excel and see significant results. The seven-time Mr. Olympia even emphasized incorporating cardio in 50-50 splits into your regime for overall well-being.

Arnold Schwarzenegger advocates incorporating cardio with weight training

The bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger highlighted research showing that splitting your workout time equally between cardio and weights offers the best cardiovascular protection. Traditionally, cardio is known for its heart benefits, but scientists compared it with weight training and a combination of both.

The results revealed that a 50-50 split of cardio and weights provided the same heart benefits as doing only cardio. Although the weights-only group didn’t improve as much in cardiovascular health, they lost as much fat as the cardio group and gained more lean muscle.

Arnie pointed out that losing just 1% of body fat can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome. Weight training is effective for fat loss while combining it with cardio provides comprehensive benefits for strength and heart health. For optimal results, aim for 150 minutes of exercise weekly. A good routine is working out for an hour three times a week, dividing 30 minutes each for cardio and weights.

Now that you know the benefits and splits, as well as interesting ways to incorporate cardio into your regimen, you can aim for maximum benefits. Don’t shy away from trying this on your next gym session.