Summer is right around the corner. You know what that means – CARDIO Time! I do some type of cardio everyday. Whether it’s in the form of a vigorous hot yoga class, circuit training, kickboxing, spinning, elliptical training, running, or simply walking. I do a different form of cardio every day – never the same old workout day in and day out. Working out is a key component of maintaining my health and I have come to live with the fact that I will be working out for the rest of my life. I’ve got to keep it interesting!

I don’t go into a gym without my heart rate monitor because it helps me stay on track and not get slack! Recently when I was nursing an injury, one of the only forms of cardio I could do comfortably was the Elliptical trainer. At first I wasn’t able to get my heart rate up to the levels I wanted to without burning out my legs on intensity. I decided to pick up a random 4 pound medicine ball that I found and start doing random moves with it all while I was on the elliptical trainer. I found that I improved my balance, core muscles, and arm muscles all at the same time while getting my heart rate to surge through the roof! One of the great things about keeping your heart rate close to 80-90% of it’s max is that you burn a ton of calories during the workout and after! See below for a video on how to up the ante on your next Elliptical workout!