A casual jog in the park with your favorite podcast in your ears. Or a little workout in the living room in front of your favorite series, with the fairy lights switched on.
Sounds cozy – and fits perfectly into autumn. Instead of sweaty workouts, we focus on the “Cozy Cardio” fitness trend in the cold months.
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Fit through autumn: Cozy Cardio is so healthy
“Cozy cardio refers to a relaxed endurance training session that you feel is pleasant,” says Daniel Kaptain, lecturer at the German University for Prevention and Health Management DHfPG/BSA Academy.
And that’s exactly what it’s all about: exercise should feel good and, above all, create a balance to the stressful and fast-paced everyday life. A little self-love ritual that you look forward to – whether it’s a run in nature or half an hour on the ergometer at home.
What Cozy Cardio is not about: pushing yourself beyond your limits, getting your heart rate up, torturing yourself.
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Cozy Cardio: An alternative to intense HIIT workouts
The leisurely endurance training is an alternative to what has been popular in terms of fitness in recent years – keyword: “high intensity”.
But sweaty HIIT workouts, which alternate, for example, 45 seconds of exercise and 15 seconds of rest, are not easy for everyone. Things are different with “Cozy Cardio”.
How effective is Cozy Cardio for health and fitness?
The question remains: Does “Cozy Cardio” actually have any benefit for your health and fitness? Yes, Daniel Kaptain is convinced. Because “Cozy Cardio” makes it easier to get enough exercise in everyday life.
In addition: “The low-intensity physical activity stimulates the cardiovascular system, lubricates the joints and activates the muscles, all in a very gentle way,” says Daniel Kaptain.
Anyone who consciously takes time for themselves and some exercise reduces stress and can prevent stress-related illnesses. A run in the park can be done even in autumn weather with the right one equipment be really relaxing.
However, if you want to improve your endurance performance, you won’t achieve your goal with “Cozy Cardio” alone, according to the fitness expert. In this case, you should combine leisurely sports sessions with more intensive training.
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