I once was asked how physically demanding is riding a motorcycle?  Well, I guess that all depends on your skill and how you ride. The elite of the sport are in amazing physical condition because to perform at that level it gives them a significant edge.  If you are just a leisurely rider, it doesn’t require much energy, however, if you are racing around a track at mind boggling speeds your body and mind need to be in tip top shape.  This begs the question then:  “How much cardio should I do?”

If you just want to be fit then 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise a week.  That’s what is required to improve your cholesterol, blood sugar and resting heart rate to lower your risk of dying from heart disease by 60%.  If you are looking to lose weight then it is all about the extra cardio.  Sorry gals!  If you want to lose more than 5 pounds that means doing at least 45 minutes of vigorous cardio five days a week and women who keep the weight off typically do a full 60 minutes of moderate intensity cardio a day.  Can’t fit in a block of time?  Interval training (alternating high-intensity with low-intensity) works at burning more fat than a longer workout at a steady pace.  Try doing three 25 minute sessions of intervals a week: that way your workouts are long enough to give you those heart-health benefits.

If you want to tone up and build shapely muscles then doing separate cardio and resistance-training sessions will help you achieve your goals.  Yes, it’s time consuming and in the age of instant gratification, doesn’t sound so appealing.  If you are diligent though you will get those toned, sexy muscles in no time.  As with everything else, there is a catch… people who are most successful toning use weights, not just body weight exercises, and they push themselves to the max.  If you want to be fit, lose weight and tone up then you need to change up your routine and keep your body guessing.  This will yield you the best results in a minimum amount of time.

Jump start that sexy body ladies and shake it up.  With all the different ways to exercise it can be fun, grab friends and do a class, put on the tunes and take your favorite four legged friend out for a brisk jog or run, etc.  Get fit because it isn’t just good for your body, it’s great for your state of mind too.

Vixens Ride!