Cardio Workouts

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Our Best Cardio Workouts

Burn calories and blast fat fast with the best cardio workouts on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike — or using no equipment at all!

Coming Soon: No More Waiting for Race Day to Get That OCR Fix

Tough Mudder and Spartan Race are branching into the boutique fitness market.

The Low-Impact Cardio Workout You Need for Lazy Days

Every day doesn't call for a heart-pumping HIIT class. 

A Prenatal Cardio Workout That's Safe for Both Mom and Baby

Raise your heart rate with this pregnancy-prescribed workout. 

Blast Through This Do-Anywhere Workout In 10 Minutes

Whether you're on a lunch break, sneaking into an office, or hopping off the couch during commercials, you can get through this routine in 10 minutes or less. 

The Plyometric Workout That Turns You Into an Explosive Powerhouse

Challenge yourself and burn some serious calories.

The At-Home Cardio Kickboxing Workout That'll Kick Your Butt

Join celeb trainer Jeanette Jenkins for an epic calorie-crushing workout that'll get you into top fighting shape.

This Quick Boot camp Workout Will Tone Your Abs and Amp Up Your Endurance

Who needs the gym when you have a body weight workout that will challenge you in half the time?

The 10 Stages of Putting Yourself Through a Boot-Camp Class

YAAAS...I got this! Wait, nope. No I don't.

The 9 Most Fitness-Friendly National Parks

August marks the official celebration of the National Park Service's 100th Anniversary, so obviously it's time to plan a visit. With 58 parks to choose from, there's one for every personality.

The 20-Minute Full-Body SoulCycle Workout You Can Do on Any Bike

SoulCycle instructor Charlee Atkins shares the perfect indoor cycling workout, complete with a soundtrack to keep you on pace.

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What the Heck Are Those Purple Spots All Over Michael

 Phelps?

How the Olympian is using an ancient Chinese technique to help with his athletic performance.

Bounce Your Way Fit With This Trampoline Cardio Barre Circuit

Because everyone likes to channel their inner eight-year-old during a workout.

9 Female Cyclists You Should Watch Instead of the Tour de France

If Le Tour is going to be a "boys only" club, then we'll watch badass female cyclists elsewhere.

Zumba Isn't Just About Dance Anymore

Now you can turn up your workout to music, without the dance moves.

Elevation Training Masks Might Actually Boost Performance

Wish you could train on mountains, but you're stuck in the city? A new study shows that elevation training 

masks might actually 

have some performance-boosting powers.

Exercising at the Supermarket Might Soon Be a Thing

Supermarkets are trying to bust their way into the fitness sphere by offering classes where you grab your groceries. Convenient, or just plain crazy?

Fierce Female Fighters to Keep Your Eye On

Whether you've been inspired by Muhammad Ali's passing, Ronda's domination, or celebs everywhere picking up a pair of boxing gloves, these female fighters will redefine your idea of girl power and ins

12 Thoughts You Have During Your First Kickboxing Class

Expectation: Ronda. Reality: Betty Spaghetti. Kickboxing might be all about being ~*fierce*~ but you can bet that's not how you'll feel during your first class.

Endurance Training May Lead to a Stronger, Larger Heart

New study contradicts previous research claiming too much cardio is bad for your heart.

The Bonus Effect You Get from Marathon Training

Marathon training gets you fit, of course, but a new study shows that running has a surprise benefit for your bones.

14 Thoughts You Have During Your First Dance Cardio Class

Any newcomer to dance cardio is familiar with the highs and lows of this total-body workout.

Ultimate Frisbee Could Be the Best Way to Shape Up This Summer

If you think ultimate frisbee is just a fancy name for tossing a disc around, think again. This up-and-coming sport could be the get-fit solution to your summer workout boredom.

The Barre Workout That Doubles As Cardio

Turn on the burn in your thighs and glutes with this 10-minute barre routine.

Your 10-Minute No-Equipment Cardio Workout

No equipment, no excuses! Burn fat and torch calories with this HIIT cardio routine.

The Boxing Workout You Can Do Anywhere (No Partner Required!)

Sometimes getting into the gym, or the ring, isn't the most convenient option. MatBox designed this workout just for you, to break a sweat at home.

The American Hiking Trails You Must Do Before You Die

To-die-for scenery, a challenging trek, and crossing off a bucket list goal: Check, check, check. Here are the hiking trails you should be walking on right now. Go grab your backpack!

What ACTUALLY Makes You Tired During Exercise

Hint: You shouldn't blame your muscles 

3 Ways to Mimic Your Spin Class at Home

Can't get a seat in the studio? Now you can sweat it out at home without missing any of the in-class benefits.

Is This the Treadmill of the Future?

We already know apps can match music to your running stride—but now a treadmill can, too!

The Spin Class You Can Take from Your Phone

We love group-cycling class just as much as the next cardio queen, but you don't need to pay $30 every. single. time. For this killer cycling workout, all you need is a bike and a smartphone.

Your Guide to Mastering the StairMaster

You—and your legs—know the ins and outs of treadmill and elliptical machines. But there's another way to tap into heart-pumping cardio at the gym: the StairMaster.

8 Cycling Mistakes Every Beginner Makes

Hitting the road on two wheels is a fast, fun way to get in a workout. But just because you know how to pedal without training wheels doesn't mean you're making the most of your ride.

Cycling Shoes Made Simple

Clip in with one of these 10 cycling shoes and really rack up the miles on your bike this year.

10 Summer Sports That Torch Serious Calories

With warm weather comes more opportunity to play with your workout.

6 Cycling Rules That Were Meant to Be Broken

This just in: The new rule of riding is that there are no rules.

11 Warm-Weather Workout Problems That Sneak Up on You Every Summer

The feeling of golden rays of sunshine on your skin is an instant mood-booster, but there are plenty of summertime snafus that can turn a beautiful afternoon run into a hot mess.

6 Ways to Turn Your Local Playground into a Gym

Think outside the box and do your workout on a whole new set of gym equipment.

8 Crazy Fitness Classes You'll Never Find Boring

Boredom can squash even the best-planned fitness goals. That's why we suggest adding a little crazy to your routine now and then.

Stationary Bike Workouts: Replicate Your Fave Spin Class at Home

We know you love the energy of spin class—but let's face it, at $30 a pop, it can really add up if it's your everyday workout.

7 Signs You Need a New Personal Trainer

Some personal trainer relationships are a match made in heaven.

The 10 Stages of Your First SoulCycle Class

It's finally happening: your first SoulCycle class.

8 Reasons to Monitor Your Heart Rate

Forget the bulky, uncomfortable chest straps (because let's be honest, you weren't really using them anyway).

21 Ways You're Spinning Wrong

The hardest part of Spinning isn't the climbs. It's avoiding the many variables (seat height! resistance! posture!) that could mess with your form, efficiency, and overall workout.

The Stair Climber Workout Chris Powell Made Just For You

Burn more than double the calories with every step you take: Hit the stairs—and steal these tips.

5 Ways to Stay Active on a Ski Trip (Without Actually Skiing)

Maybe you never learned to ski or snowboard. Or maybe you're recovering from an injury—or you simply don't feel the need for speed. No need to miss out when friends or family plan a ski trip.

6 Reasons to Take Up Rowing

With Row House in New York City, iRow in L.A., and Shockwave rowing classes at Equinox gyms nationwide, rowing is officially a thing. Not quite ready to give it a go?

7 Workouts Made for Introverts

You, Miss Introvert, prefer to feel the burn in a more independent setting than your extroverted friends.

The FITNESS Award Show Exercise Challenge

Awards show season is upon us, which means three things: beautiful red carpet-dresses, lots of thanking the Academy, and, for the rest of us at home, sitting on the couch.

Can Cardio Change Your Genes?

Here's a reason to go long: Cardio workouts of 45 minutes or longer could change your genes and boost your metabolism. Read—and run—on.

The Simple Way to Exercise 6 Minutes Longer

According to new research, you can boost your endurance without even feeling the extra effort—as long as you look at the right thing. That's right—learn how your eyes can override your muscles.

What Is Tabata?

When all those group fitness class descriptions list "Tabata-style" over and over, it's time to stop scratching your head in confusion.

Blast Fat Fast on the Rowing Machine

You row, girl!

10 Things You've Thought While Spinning

Spin class: It's your one-stop shop for a high-energy, heart-pumping, muscle-toning good time.

Add a Little Hunger Games to Your Workout

Since you can't spend all weekend watching The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 over and over (or can you?), here are five ways to bring a little fight to your workout.

Test Your Exercise IQ: Can You Separate Fact From Fiction?

Whether you live to exercise or exercise to live, we know you want to get the most out of your workout. Step one: Knowing how to separate fitness facts from fiction.

Top Cardio Tricks: The 45-Minute Indoor Cycling Workout

Indoor cycling blasts more than 500 calories in less than an hour. How to make it even better?

Take It Outside: What You Need to Hike, Bike, and Run Trails

Stride or ride off-road for a hotter body and a cooler mind. Here's your so-easy guide—just add sunshine. 

Get a Knockout Body with Kickboxing Fusion

Give your workout the one-two punch it needs to melt mega calories in less time. This kickboxing, dance, and toning fusion routine will firm every inch. Score a physique this sexy by next week.

Buddy Up: How to Train with a Running Partner

When you do your workout with a friend, you could get a bigger endorphin boost, a study from the University of Oxford suggests.

Serena's Sunny Side

You know her as the driven, intense superstar tennis player.

Crank Up Your Cardio

New research shows that slow and steady doesn't win the race.

Mix It Up: How to Use Indoor Cardio Machines

Has taking your routine to the gym got you going zombie on the treadmill? Revive your cardio with these lean machines.

Feeling the Burn: How I Dealt with Mean Girls in Spin Class

I love workouts that hurt so good. But the sting I got in Spinning class wasn't at all what I had signed up for.

Stride to the Beat: How to Train with a Heart Rate Monitor

Even technophobes can benefit from training with a heart rate monitor.

Walk Off the Weight: Speed-Interval Walking Workout

Not a runner? No sweat. Start a walking routine instead.

Spin Tricks: Music to Make You Move

Good music can make any ride better, as long as you match your pedal stroke to the beat. Try this playlist from Soul Cycle instructor Rique Uresti.

Rev Up Your Reps

"It's not how long but how strong and intense you're making your workouts," says celebrity trainer Jackie Warner, the author of 10 Pounds in 10 Days.

Ride On: Everything You Need to Know About Bicycling and Spinning

Cycling is about the most fun you can have burning more than 500 calories an hour. Plus it's so simple anyone can do it. What's stopping you? Get back in the spin with our pedal-pushing pointers.

Tricks of the Tread: Treadmill Interval Workouts

Feel as if you're on a conveyor belt to nowhere?

Rev Up the Burn: Drenched Method Workout

This hot new mash-up of martial arts and plyo moves melts calories to the max!

Hiking Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Instead of pounding the pavement, opt for a workout on the less-beaten path.

Lose More Fat: 15-Minute Flab-Fighting Cardio

Dumbbells kick up the calorie burn of this 15-minute flab-fighting cardio routine.

The Fat-Burning Walking Workout Plan

Learn how to burn more calories and sculpt a tighter tush with every step.

Total Body Recharge: 8 Energy-Boosting, Muscle-Toning Moves

This is a zero-equipment, no sneakers required, all energy-boosting cardio workout that tones from head to toe.

Ride On: A FITNESS Reader Learns How to Ride a Bike

Pam Lowenstein, 31, was an avid Spinner with a secret: She was scared to get on a real bike. FITNESS put her back in the saddle.

Walk Your Butt Off: Lose Weight Walking

Reap extra calorie burn from each stride with these no-need-for-speed walking techniques.

Boost Energy, Blast Fat, Fast!

Burn 130 calories (and boost your energy) in just 15 minutes with this fun, do-anywhere cardio express routine.

What's Your Bike Type?

Are you looking to cruise around town or to explore on dirt roads? Find out which bike type is for you and what biking equipment you need for your bike ride.

Joy Ride: Bike Parts Smarts

This quickie key to bike parts is all you need for a happy bike ride.

Walk Off the Weight

Turn up the fat-melting, flab-fighting benefits of your usual walk with this fun, simple plan from walking pro Tina Vindum.

Walking Workout: A Firmer Butt in 30 Minutes

Use these lower-body toning moves during your regular walking workout to sculpt and lift your butt and thighs and burn more calories on your walk.

Walking Workout: Tone Your Arms As You Walk

This quick and effective routine pairs arm toning exercises with your regular walking workout, so you firm your upper body while you walk off the weight.

Burn 2,000 Calories on the Treadmill

Stay slim on your treadmill all season with this 7-day plan from Jenny Hadfield, author of Running for Mortals.

Walk Off 10 Pounds This Month

Wake up your walking workout! These 3 calorie-burning walking routines are designed to challenge your muscles and maximize every step you take.

Blast 130 Calories in 12 Minutes

This challenging circuit was designed by Eric Von Frohlich, founder of Roadfit in New York City, to sculpt all your major muscles while improving balance and coordination.

Cross-Train Off 270 Calories

Ready to challenge your muscles to a triple-threat routine? Try a California fitness club owner's calorie-burning cardio challenge.

The Calorie-Blasting Cycling Workout

Try cycling! Take your wheels on the open road with these boredom-proof, ultra-effective workouts.

Kick into Gear: Burn 175 Calories in 15 Minutes

Try this fierce fat-blasting cardio kickboxing sequence by Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa, fitness director for Premier Martial Arts International in Broomfield, Colorado.

Row Away 300 Calories

Challenge yourself to get in a cardio workout on your gym's rowing machine this month — and burn 300 calories in 30 minutes flat.

Cardio Challenge: Row Away 300 Calories

Challenge yourself to get in a cardio workout on your gym's rowing machine this month — and burn 300 calories in 30 minutes flat.

Get Lean and Sculpted in 4 Weeks Flat! Part 2: Cardio

Science is on your side: Our state-of-the-art cardio/strength workout plan will melt fat and build sexy muscles.

3 Ways to Burn 500 Calories

That's two bags of M&Ms to you. Here's how to make them disappear.

Best Cardio Ever: 15 Ways to Make It Really Work

Get results, stay motivated, and sculpt every bit — just by using these all-new tips on your next walk or run.

Strip Fat, Build Sleek Muscles with Cardio Training

Strength training just builds bulky muscle mass — but balanced with a cardio-heavy workout, you'll gain the sleek muscles you crave. Try our pro's cardio workout tips.

Should I Trade My Treadmill for the Trails?

Find out how outdoor exercise measures up to indoor gym workouts — and then hit the trails!

Burn More Calories When You Walk

You don't have to walk miles to get a good workout.

The 30-Minute Fat-Burning Power Walk

Tone your lower body while burning calories with this walk-and-sculpt routine from Therese Iknoian, author of Fitness Walking and Walking Fast.

Walk (or Run!) Off Bulge

Burn fat and tone muscle with these walking and running tips and workout routines.

Walking Workouts for a Greener Planet

Strengthen your heart, sculpt your muscles, and blast fat — all while making the world a little greener.

The 20-Minute, Glute-Sculpting Treadmill Routine

Sculpt your glutes and burn a fast 150 calories with this 20-minute hill-walking treadmill workout.

Run/Walk: The 20-Minute Treadmill Hill Workout

Burn fat and calories and build your lower body with this 300-calorie-burning treadmill routine from a fitness pro.

Kickboxing Workout: Sculpt Muscles and Blast Fat

Kickboxing is an easy way to lose weight, burn calories and get stronger. Knock out boredom and blast fat all over with these muscle-sculpting kickboxing exercise moves.

Beyond the Treadmill: More Cardio Calorie Burners

Bored with your basic cardio workout? Break away from the treadmill — amp up your routine with these tips from a top celebrity trainer.

Cardio-Sculpting Workout: 21 Days to Loving Your Shape

Look amazing, feel even better — what more can you ask for? This three-week cardio-sculpting plan, perfect for any body, is the ultimate mind/body booster.

The Anti-Boredom Workout That Burns 400 Calories

Your workout will fly by if you switch up the machines you use, says Diana Maitland, training manager for Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City.

Can Weights Boost Cardio Calorie Burn?

Fitness advice about holding weights during cardio, and how to burn extra calories as you work out.

How to Use a Pedometer to Get 10,000 Steps

Find out how to measure your stride and how to make the most of your pedometer to get 10,000 steps in every day.

How to Use a Pedometer to Measure Your Stride

Get the most out of your pedometer by making sure you've accurately measured your stride. Here, a physical therapist shows you how.

Nordic Walking Guide

Even a beginning exerciser can burn up to 30 percent more calories while walking by using poles.

Everything You Need to Love Walking and Running

Putting one foot in front of the other — it's so simple, yet it can completely change your life. Here, 11 reasons to tie up your laces and go.

The 20-Minute, 300-Calorie Treadmill Cardio Challenge

Burn fat and calories and build your lower body with this 300-calorie-burning treadmill routine from a fitness pro.