Upbeat Music
Your cardio workouts can be less than motivating without some upbeat music. Having music to listen to is beneficial in two ways. Not only can a fast song keep you pumped when you feel tired or don't want to run anymore, it can also set your pace. Look for a variety of songs ranging from 115 to 150 beats per minute so you can change up your pace. "Marie Claire" magazine recommends songs such as "Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyonce, "The Fixer" by Pearl Jam and "One Day" by Matisyahu.
Friendly Competition
No one likes to lose, which is why instituting a little friendly competition as part of your workout can spur you onward to work harder for even better results, notes "Readers Digest." You might decide to bring a friend with you to the gym and challenge him to see who can go the fastest on an elliptical, or make a chart-based competition system where each day that you do a cardio workout during a month nets you a point, all of which are then tallied against an opponent for a clear winner.
Movies, Books, Magazines
Saving something for your cardio workout can motivate you to lace up and try it. If you're a runner, you might set aside a book on tape that you're only allowed to listen to while running. When on an elliptical, you might indulge in your favorite gossip magazine. You can also pop in a favorite movie that is restricted to watching only when you're doing your step aerobics. Keeping something just for your cardio workout can help you to do it, even when you don't particularly feel like it.
New Gear
If technology is your thing, some new fitness gear can help you hit the pavement. Investing in a few high-tech gadgets can help keep your workout steady and strong as you're able to push yourself to the next level. A heart monitor or pedometer both can track your progress and motivate you to keep going, while the latest in music devices and portable media can keep your cardio workout interesting. Even something as simple as a new outfit for running might motivate you to try harder.
Goals
Cardio can be especially effective when you evaluate your goals and set new ones. Rather than using an abstract goal, such as "I want to lose weight," try something more specific, such as "I want to drop a pant size in one month." Defining your goals exactly can give you a clearer picture of what you need to do, cardio-wise, to reach them. FitSugar.com urges you to not only set goals, but to list why you want to attain them and then keep a copy of them somewhere that you can see them often to keep you motivated.
