TikTok’s ‘Cozy Cardio’ Trend Could Help You Enjoy Working Out Again

If the “no pain, no gain” mentality seems overwhelming when it comes to working out, TikTok’s new trend of “cozy cardio” may be the trick to making exercise more enjoyable for you.

The idea behind it, originating from TikTok creator Hope Zuckerbrow , who coined the term when she started posting her morning cardio routines back in 2022, is that sweating in smelly gyms and constantly straining your muscles to the limit is not Necessarily. the only way to practice. Instead, cozy cardio offers a more relaxed approach to movement, with more emphasis on low-impact exercise in an environment where low lighting, comfortable clothing, and even watching your favorite TV shows are encouraged .

Cozy cardio is a combination of exercise and self-care that can really inspire people to add more physical activity into their daily lives. But is this the best exercise method if you want to add progression to your workout, and can you actually get a good workout out of it?

Who is best for cozy cardio?

According to Jennifer Renfro, senior vice president of group fitness at Crunch Fitness, convenient cardio is best for a variety of people, from people just starting out on their fitness journey to avid workout participants.

“For someone just starting to exercise, comfortable cardio is a great way to move their body in a way that feels good while providing both physical and mental benefits in a space that feels connected and comfortable,” she says. .

In particular, she says cozy cardio offers many benefits for beginners, including reducing and overcoming anxiety during workouts, creating a safe and comfortable space to try something new or begin a fitness journey. Zuckerbrow herself says in this TikTok that she started doing cardio “to help improve my relationship with exercise.”

Additionally, Renfro calls a cozy cardio workout an ideal way to “help prepare your body and mind for exercise by making it accessible and achievable by doing exercise from your personal comfort, whether that’s wearing your favorite sweatshirt, playing uplifting music, or other personal items.” to enhance the true sensory journey.”

For people who already exercise regularly, Renfro says, convenient cardio provides the ability to exercise at any time and on each individual’s schedule and “is a great way to incorporate a comfortable, low-impact workout into your daily routine and stay connected.” to movement and awareness, nourishing both body and soul.”

But is convenient cardio enough for a workout?

Cozy cardio is meant to be easy and comfortable, which Renfro says is fine no matter your fitness level. “Not all exercise needs to be intense,” she says. “This is a great option for people of all fitness levels, and the key is to listen to your body and know when to feel comfortable, such as when you need a break from intense cardio, are recovering from an injury, or are just starting to exercise.” cardio into your workouts.”

When it comes to improving your workouts, Renfro says comfortable cardio provides a fundamental way to increase the time and intensity of your workout. “Listen to your body and know when to improve your workout by asking yourself if you could do more today,” she recommends. “If the answer is yes, try gradually increasing your workout time to assess where you are in your comfort zone. You can start to step outside your comfort zone a little and spend the last five minutes taking your work to the next level.”

Eventually, she says, that new level will land in a space you find cozy, and you’ll need to step up your training to find a new challenge. As a result, “cozy cardio is an easy way to challenge yourself to gradually step outside your comfort zone, and as your body adapts to new challenges, continue to introduce new, more intense activities to keep your body from plateauing,” she says. . .

How to Make Cozy Cardio Work for You

Renfro says convenient cardio workouts are beneficial to your regular workout routine and are easy to combine with more intense workouts. “You can try alternating workout days at comfortable, moderate, and intense levels as you progress through the week,” she suggests. “Take one day off to rest, then go into the next week with more stamina and energy.”

Alternatively, Renfro says, you can also make your cozy cardio session more challenging. “Gradually add intervals to your workout, alternating comfortable, slow periods with more intense periods of work, so that your workout has distinct periods that challenge the body,” she says. “Any movement is a good thing, but alternating shorter, more intense exercises with longer periods of comfortable exercise is a great way to improve your workout.”