Now that summer is just around the corner, I’m guessing that like me, many of you are in a ‘cutting’ phase. You want to look fantastic at the beach this summer, and make sure your abs look like they’ve been chiseled from limestone. One of the most annoying aspects about cutting is the cardio that’s required. It can be tediously boring to go for a run every morning or spend an hour on the stationary bike. Here are some ideas to spice up your cardio (some actually provide *better* cardio than traditional activities like jogging):

Swimming: If you work out at a rec center with a pool, this is especially easy. Swimming is a fantastic cardiovascular workout, and it is very low impact. Great substitute to running if you have bad knees or a bad back (like me). Try alternating a swim day with a jogging day.

Mountain biking: Fun! Need I say more? A great workout and a lot of fun. You don’t really need a ‘mountain’, just some dirt trails or gravel roads.

Squash: Wow, what a workout! Squash is one of my favourite sports, and nothing makes me sweat like a good game of squash. It’s easy to learn (I mean really easy) and it’s a ton of fun. And trust me, you won’t find a better cardio workout anywhere.

Boxing/kickboxing/martial arts: Boxing, kickboxing and martial arts are fantastic workouts. They’re fun, not overly expensive, and you leave each class having learned practical new skills.

Soccer: A full game of soccer with some friends can be an intense workout. Just make sure you play for at least half an hour, and there’s no doubt you’ll get in some serious cardio.

There’s plenty of other ways to make your cardio fun, these are just a few suggestions. For me, the key is variety – one day a game of squash, the next day a swim, and then a jog on the beach. Mixing it up keeps me motivated and interested. A little good music on my iPod doesn’t hurt, either!