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Best Cardio Workouts for Women


best cardio workouts for women

Some might say that the best cardio workout is the one that you don’t have to do. Fortunately, it doesn't work that way. Now you may think I should have said "unfortunately" but once you get into a routine of cardio that you enjoy, you'll understand. 

A good cardio workout will put you into that heavy breathing, and sweaty state of being. At first, it's very uncomfortable. However, after you get warmed up, it starts to be enjoyable. In my opinion, the best cardio workouts are interval workouts because they allow you to go from periods of high exertion to recovery periods. This kind of 'back and forth' training is challenging and fun.

Truth be told, I really believe that the best cardio workout for women or anyone for that matter, is the one that they’ll do. There are many effective cardio workouts at there, and some address different aspects of cardio fitness. The workout that I’m sharing today addresses high intensity and low intensity cardio fitness so as to fully maximize fat loss and other health benefits.

If you’re looking for a cardio workout for women that will not only help you drop a size or two but will also increase the overall vitality of your life, then you’ve found it. This workout starts as all great workouts do, with a warm-up. A proper warm-up is essential to ensure the muscles are ready for the work ahead. Then we move into high intensity interval training. This will be more of an introductory high intensity workout that you can alter later once you’re in better shape. Following that is the low intensity cardio workout which will be made up of mostly light exercises, and then we end with stretching to increase flexibility.

The beauty of this workout is that it can be easily altered. If you’re a beginner, I recommend splitting the workout apart. Do the low intensity workout twice a week, and the high intensity workout once a week. Keep the warm-up and stretching routine for all 3 days. Each exercise is measured on a scale of 0-10 for effort, or perceived exertion. 0 being no movement, and 10 being the highest intensity possible.

The Warm-up Yoga Breathing Stretches Video

Running in Place - 30 sec. - 3 on the scale

Lateral Shuffles - 30 sec. - 3 on the scale

Squat Thrusts - 5 reps - 3 on the scale

Running in Place - 30 sec. - 3 on the scale

Lateral Shuffles - 30 sec. - 3 on the scale

Squat Thrusts - 5 reps - 3 on the scale

The Workout High Intensity Circuit - 3x

High Knees - 30 sec. - 7 on the scale

Running in Place - 30 sec. - 4 on the scale

Side Shuffle Lunge Reaches - 10 reps - 7 on the scale

10 second break Butt Kickers - 30 sec. - 7 on the scale

Running in Place - 30 sec. - 4 on the scale

Side Shuffle Lunge Reaches - 10 reps - 7 on the scale

10 second break

Low Intensity Circuit - 5 sets of 4 on the scale

Jumping Jacks - 1 minute Side Leg Raises - 5 reps (each leg)

Running in Place - 1 minute Kick Backs - 5 reps (each leg)

Butt Kickers - 1 minute Bicycle Kicks - 5 reps

Static Stretch Routine Hold each stretch for 30 seconds

Sitting Toe Reach

Sitting Quadriceps Stretch

Glute Stretch

Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch

Latissimus Dorsi Stretch

Pectoral Stretch

About Jake Long
In late 2014, Jake co-founded FitnessJunkies.com with his brother Ryan. Jake is a NASM certified personal trainer and has been blogging on health and fitness since 2011 when he started JakesHomeWorkouts.com.