For many people, the mere mention of the C-word conjures images of wiry runners stoically loopingoping the local park. But cardio needn’t be torturous—and what you do in the gym can cut minutes off your run times, no extra kilometres needed.
At its core, cardio is just “aerobic” training; that is, any activity during which the heart is able to supply enough oxygenated blood to fuel your efforts, whether you’re skipping or squat jumping.
By contrast, during anaerobic training, your O2 reserves dry up. Without enough oxygen, you’re limited to brief, intense bursts. Put simply, if you can do an exercise for two minutes non-stop, that’s cardio.
So, there’s no reason you need to tackle a Park Run to net yourself those cardio perks. Nor do you need to set…