7 tricks to get more out of cardio workouts

Get more out of your cardio workouts with a few tweaks to your routine.Credit: sxc.hu/ctr, ctr

Dreading the treadmill or elliptical machine for your next workout? You could be dealing with cardio workout burnout, which means it's time to ramp things up and make some tweaks to your usual routine. I've found that changing my cardio routineevery two weeks keeps me motivated, and also helps me burn more calories per session. Whether you're a fan of spinning, like to run on the treadmill, or you're addicted to the elliptical machine, it's time to change things up!

Here are seven simple tricks for getting more out of your cardio workouts:

1. Jump into circuit training. Whether you're running on the treadmill, logging a few miles on the stationery bike or burning up calories on the elliptical, you can take things to the next level with a circuit training routine. Throw in a series of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, crunches and other resistance exercises every 8 to 10 minutes of your cardio routine and you'll get much more out of your workout.

2. Change up your elliptical machine routine. I'm a big fan of the elliptical trainer at the gym but I've noticed that my body gets used to the routine really, really quickly. If you're not breaking a sweat after a few weeks of the same routine, you need to step things up! I either turn up the resistance on the elliptical machine or add weights. Doing incline intervals for a few minutes, followed by a lower incline, is another way to get the most out of your elliptical workouts.

3. Run hills on the treadmill. If you can't head outdoors for some hill running, play with your treadmill's settings instead. Increasing and decreasing the incline on your treadmill can give your cardio routine a boost and help you burn more calories per hour.

4. Start your routine with jump roping. Jump roping for 10 to 12 minutes before your regular cardio session will increase your heart rate quickly and may give your workout that much-needed boost. Just make sure to warm up for a few minutes before you start skipping, and try to keep moving all the way through.

5. Cycle it out. Increase your range of motion if you're used to doing only treadmill and elliptical workouts by biking for ten to fifteen minutes. Cycling indoors will give your lower body an amazing workout and will still keep up the calorie burn. Remember you can also increase the resistance level on the bike if you want a more intense workout.

6. Wear ankle weights. Make your body work harder doing your regular routine by throwing on a pair of ankle weights. The extra weight will add some resistance to your workout, and you'll definitely feel the burn after fifteen to twenty minutes of your usual routine.

7. Take it to the extreme -- but only for a minute. Challenge your body and mind by pushing yourself to the max on whatever cardio machine you're using '" but only for a minute. Doing this at least three to four times per hour session will make you push just a little bit harder and helps to build endurance. Remember you only need to sustain this super-high level of intensity for a minute to reap the benefits.