I'm looking to improve my cardio and wanted to see what exercises you guys do. I currently lift weights and do circuit training 3 times a week, run 3 times a week, and train in muy thai and BJJ 4 times a week. I'd like to find some activities to supplement and replace some of the running I'm doing because I get really bored with running.

How about cycling, swimming and rowing? (Personally, I like none of them.)

I do something different everyday. There are lots of drills you can do by yourself or with other people just ask around at the gym if you train bjj they should have plenty of stuff for you...

that seems a lot already. i get bored with jogging too. sprints???

Something I think is worth noting ALL THE FUCKING TIME:

I read in a marathon training book about a dood who prepared for a marathon (26.2 fucking miles) with NOTHING but a stair machine! I would like to see it replicated, but the moral of the story to me: it doesn't matter EXACTLY what you do, so long as you get your heart rate up (what do they recommend, like 75% of your max?) for an extended-ass period of time.


ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

The distinction between cardio and anaerobic should be made. MMA really does seem to be more anaerobic - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic_exercise I've seen some MMA training books that really push anaerobic shit over traditional aerobic (where aerobic is "cardio" like jogging, stairs, eliptical, bikes, etc.).

Personally I don't train MMA. I just run and bike. Still though, I feel confident that doing just about anything that takes you to 75% of your max-heart-rate for extended periods of time (30 mins or more) will be beneficial (plus a good diet).

I even stopped paying too much attention to numbers like 75% heart rate or 10 reps.

I think it's rarely really accurate and people just like handy numbers like 3/4 or 10.

If by "handy" you mean scientifically-based, then yes, handy. There's mad research pushing both 10 and 75% (or is it 80%?).

I don't say these numbers are wrong, but I can imagine 75% is not a lot better for every person than 70% or 80%, just like there might be people that build more mass with 11 or 9 reps.

Seems like an overkill to me really, I do great with the conditioning I get from Muay Thai and my BJJ classes.. I only do strenght training on the side of that.

jojoclown777 wrote:If by "handy" you mean scientifically-based, then yes, handy. There's mad research pushing both 10 and 75% (or is it 80%?).

The aerobic threshold (as in the point at which exercise should translate into gains to the aerobic system) is 'supposed' to be somewhere about 70% of your maximum H.R. Which, yes, can be somewhat ambiguous. Agreed with the stair running though, provides a nice little platform for some interval training at a high heart rate.

Pools do give someone an opportunity to mix it up a whole lot, from aquaerobics to slow laps, fast laps, using a kickboard, treading water with your hands above your head, treading water with your hands above your head holding a medicine ball and sets of kicks while holding the side of the pool are some of the ways cardio can be achieved in the pool.

I am not in MMA but I used to train to stay in shape. I used alot of aerobics, mtn climbing and hiking. I didnt want to fall off the side of a Mountain so I stuck with the hiking. It will kick your butt and is totally different than bikes and aerobics. Not sure if MMA fighters mountain climb or hike but that is a suggestion.

Maybe climbing is a great training for grappling...

Hiking uphill and in thin air... sure.

PS: This winter I lost orientation in the woods while snowboarding. Stomping through hip-deep snow in thin air, carrying a snowboard while it's too warm for the thick clothes you wear and to0 windy to take them off is pretty intense.

I just had a fucking huge breakthrough with cardio. I try to basically do cardio any day I have time so that I don't slouch. Well I try to run at least 2 times a week. I used to do 3 times a week (on a treadmill at like 7.6 mph for 20 mins or 7 mph for 30-40 mins). Well sometimes, out of nowhere, i couldn't make it the full 20 mins. Well recently I figured out that i was running too much. If I run (now I'm way down due to school) one day, I have to take two days off and run that third day. So I will run Monday and then the next time will be Thursday. If I changed my speed or distance/duration, it would probably help, but I dont want to. So I run every three days and do whatever cardio in between. Lately the running has seemed too easy, but I'm nervous about cranking up the running too quick (cuz brotha jojo don't want nono shin splints or knee/hip problems).

Recently Ive found the best way to do cardio is to doi with other people doin similar sports so you all end up pushing each other.

peer pressure can be a great motivator