plyometric/cardio circuit

Judas_Queen

So I dislike cardio immensely.. especially that elliptical/treadmill c**p! SO BORING!

I strength train 3x per week for about an hour or so (doing SL 5x5) halfway through the 12 weeks now.

I have about 15-20 minutes after where i fit in cardio.

I'm not too interested in HIIT at this stage, that will come a bit later I hope.

I've been looking into plyometrics (1) to help with strength training and (2) for cardio as it will keep my HR up. I've had a look and googled a bunch but I can't seem to find anything that is like a solid circuit.. it only needs to be short (like i say about 15 mins will be fine)

It doesn't need to be all plyo, can add other things in.

So I was wondering if any of you have either (a) any links to any places with circuits or (b) have one that you have done/are doing that you think is awesome.

NB- I can't do push ups so please don't suggest normal or clap push ups... I will cry (lol)

thanks in advance!

Cajunmalakai

Plyo can certainly get your heart pumping, but a proper plyometric workout is also brutal on your muscles(the purpose being to build power and explosiveness), so combining it with a routine as intense as 5x5 can be tricky.

I'm with you on the boring cardio, but there are tons of options other than just toughing it out on a treadmill or elliptical. I did 5x5 myself and I found that doing say, rounds of dumbbell swings in between sets really got me sweating. Really, anything that jacks up your heart rate qualifies.

Why can't you do pushups?

kdiamond

Sometime I do plyos in between sets.

Some good ones are squat jumps, jumping alternating lunges, plyo jacks, box jumps, burpees, froggy jumps. I'll do 10-15 between sets, or sometimes I even superset them in.

It does raise the heartrate something good.

Edited: I agree with OP they are taxing, so I really only do them when I'm doing a lighter weights day OR I will do a few sets at the end of a heavy day.

crossfit_lover

Sometime I do plyos in between sets.

Some good ones are squat jumps, jumping alternating lunges, plyo jacks, box jumps, burpees, froggy jumps. I'll do 10-15 between sets, or sometimes I even superset them in.

It does raise the heartrate something good.

Edited: I agree with OP they are taxing, so I really only do them when I'm doing a lighter weights day OR I will do a few sets at the end of a heavy day.

Agree if you can include plyo in between cardio and strength, you'll see heart-rate high which will provide an excellent calorie burner. Box Jumps, Burpees are excellent

Judas_Queen

I''m planning to add a cardio day in anyway, but wanted something a bit more circuit-y for my lifting days.