You know that cardio exercise is good for your health. But it can be hard to work up the motivation to do it.
If you’re in the camp of folks who are dragging their feet to start working out again, this comic is for you.
Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and the vice president of medical affairs at Hello Heart, a cardiovascular health tracking app, answers honest questions about the subject, and explains how to incorporate more heart-pumping movement into your everyday life.
This comic was illustrated by Life Kit editor Malaka Gharib.
/ Malaka Gharib/NPR
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Malaka Gharib/NPR
/ Malaka Gharib/NPR
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Malaka Gharib/NPR
/ Malaka Gharib/NPR
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Malaka Gharib/NPR
/ Malaka Gharib/NPR
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Malaka Gharib/NPR
/ Malaka Gharib/NPR
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Malaka Gharib/NPR
The digital story was edited by Meghan Keane. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.
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Copyright 2025 NPR
Cardio. The dreaded word that sends shivers down the spines of many. But do we really have to do it? In this post, I’m going to ask some honest questions about cardio, illustrated with some humorous anecdotes and real talk.
1. Do I have to wake up at the crack of dawn to go for a run? Can’t I just hit the snooze button and call it a day?
2. Why does running feel like torture, while sitting on the couch binge-watching Netflix feels like heaven?
3. Will I ever reach a point where I actually enjoy cardio, or is that just a myth perpetuated by fitness gurus?
4. Why does the idea of doing burpees make me want to cry, while the idea of eating a whole pizza sounds like a dream come true?
5. Is it possible to get the same benefits from cardio by just dancing around my living room to Beyoncé songs?
6. Why does the thought of going to the gym and hopping on the treadmill make me want to throw up, while the thought of a post-workout smoothie sounds delicious?
7. Can I just pretend that walking to the fridge and back counts as my daily cardio?
8. Will I ever be able to run a marathon without collapsing in a heap halfway through?
9. Why does the idea of doing sprints make me want to run in the opposite direction, while the idea of a leisurely stroll in the park sounds lovely?
10. Can I just blame my aversion to cardio on my genetics, or do I actually have to put in the work to see results?
So, do we really have to do cardio? The answer may be different for everyone, but one thing’s for sure – it’s a necessary evil if we want to stay healthy and fit. So lace up those running shoes, put on some upbeat music, and let’s tackle cardio together, one reluctant step at a time.
Tags:
cardio workouts, cardio exercise, fitness routine, burning calories, benefits of cardio, cardio misconceptions, workout motivation, cardio for beginners, cardio for weight loss, cardiovascular health, cardio questions, staying active, fitness tips
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