Making the Most of Outdoor Cardio Workouts

Outdoor Cardio Workouts: How to Set Your Pace on the Road

Outdoor cardio workouts are a wonderful escape from the stresses of the world. However, they can easily turn into leisure rather than a workout if you are not vigilant. Now, if you are in the mood for an active rest day that is perfectly fine - however if you are in the position of wanting a real workout, well then dig into the tips I have for you right here!

Outdoor cardio workoutsAs trainers, we can help you maximize your results from your outdoor cardio workouts.

Although walking or jogging outdoors is generally a harder workout than you get using a treadmill, one advantage of the treadmill is that you set the pace and the incline—let’s face it, sometimes when you are outdoors you don’t keep that same brisk clip as you do when you try to keep up with that treadmill setting. On the other hand, it’s usually easier to exercise for longer outdoors because boredom doesn’t set in so soon.

When it comes to biking, stationary bikes are the gold standard in being held accountable to your pace/resistance. However, outdoors you are going to battle with the wind, changes in surface, and perhaps some steeper and longer hills than you would ever impose upon yourself voluntarily :)

Here is how you can have the best of both worlds: 

  1. Go through your music selection and find some songs that keep a beat to an “easy” pace for you. 

  2. Next, find some songs that keep a beat to a “hard” pace for you. 

  3. Create a mix that alternates the slower songs and the faster songs. Be sure the length of the mix corresponds to the length you want your workout to be. 

  4. During your workout, set your pace according to the speed of the song that’s playing. 

  5. Once your endurance improves, create a new mix with the pace a little faster than before, both for the “easy” portions and for the “hard” portions. 

  6. Keep your mixes handy in case you need to return to them after a break from training. Or, lend the old mixes to a friend who is just starting out! 

I hope you find these tips helpful! If you would like a trainer to meet with you to make sure that your pacing for outdoor cardio is adequate for your goals, grab a Price Quote today.