After years of fine-tuning in conjunction with a bit of trial and error. I have reached a point where my cardio workouts exert the right amount of energy in the given time. Therefore, allowing me to burn just enough to continue my current program. Three exercises make up each set and there are six sets in total. These sets are tailed to work the whole body. Doubling up on each set allows for the body to get used to movements before switching.

This is not being said to make you change your current routine. Instead, I am showing you what I am willing to put my body through to achieve my goals. Moreover, as mentioned in previous posts, it keeps the competition between myself and no one else.

Clashing routines

Since I know what it takes to achieve my goals, I can go into any gym or make an outdoor routine if need be. That said, A question that keeps coming up is, what happens when someone else joins in? The truth is it takes a bit of effort to switch things up as well as a different mindset. A skill I will pass on to you.

My partner and I recently decided to work out together, which rarely happens due to living in different countries. Calling this an enlightening experience is an understatement. We go about cardio differently; for example outdoor vs indoor sessions. This small difference was an easy fix by deciding to do an outdoor routine for the intro session. That said, our rest time within working sets was the most apparent difference. I take a brief five – ten-second break between exercises. Whereas she needs a little more time. That added time is what she needs to effectively switch to the next movement. Before going all out again there is a thirty-second break at the end of each set.

At first, I took her extra time as a hindrance. It added more time to the workout. As I took a step back though I was able to realize the statement mentioned above. Moreover, reminding myself that no two bodies are alike helped to solidify this.

Moreover, Adding a partner is great as long as you are able to accept these things and encourage each other. In addition to being open to combining each other’s routines.

Timing is everything

In my last post about strenth and mass training, I took the time to off some benchmarks based off of outside research. That is not the case in cardiovascular training. It is solely based on your energy burn compared to energy build up. There is some research that states taking ten to twenty seconds is optimal before switching movements. I do not wholeheartedly believe in these numbers though. The reason being, when the body burns energy faster than it can build it back up more rest is needed. This is the case for most people since it is easier to use up all the stored energy quickly with high-intensity training (HIIT). Effectively being able to account for this to factors is the main goal when cardio training.

How does one get in tune with this? I suggest taking notes after different cardio sessions. These notes consisting of answers to these questions, how many seconds rest did you take? Did you need more or less time? How did the workout make you feel overall? The last one is the trickiest when you are first starting, but being brutally honest is the key here.

After a months worth of sessions or so look back at the notes to build the best routine. I found this to be very helpful as well as a good way to understand what was going on in my body.

Feel free to email me about what you find! I am always here to help and support you on your journey

 

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