Juiced up in this week's article, I have an interesting discussion regarding cardio workouts, which will, I hope, get you thinking differently, and trying exciting things.

Do you really need cardio training to get in the right shape? Well, let's see what the facts tell us.

Most fitness experts consider it a fact that they need "cardio" exercise to obtain fitness goals. They probably wouldn't ever question it either.

Let it be said that I'm not only questioning it, I'm refuting it! As a matter of fact, surprisingly enough, some of the leanest, most fit men and women I know, NEVER do any type of traditional cardio. That's over 10 years knowing athletes and getting in gyms that I've seen.

But, I know there could be a place for low-moderate level cardio for really overweight or deconditioned people, but even in those cases, there can be more effective techniques.

So, you ask, what is "cardio" exactly?

Most would say it's the act of pumping away on a treadmill, using a stationary bike, or trailing on the elliptical, while their eyes are glued to the TV screen. This is what I call "traditional cardio". It's a no-brainer that most people get workout boredom and give up just after several weeks, without any visible results.

Looking deeper into this, "cardio" could be considered any form exercise or activity that strengthens the cardiovascular system. I'm not going to get too technical, but to keep it in simple form, it's definitely cardio if your heart is pumping, and your huffing and puffing. Everybody around could call it weight training while you're carrying dumbbells or a barbell, but it's still conditioning your heart.

Some examples are: Taking a simple barbell (or dumbbell, or kettlebell), lifting it from the floor up to your shoulders, then push pressing overhead. Ladies... even though this might appear as something "manly," you will still benefit from any poundage of weights just as much.

You can also try a set of 20 repetitions of one-arm snatches or swings with each arm with a kettlebell which would get your heart racing and gasping for breath. Even try 5 minutes straight of bodyweight squats, lunges, and pushups with little rest. That would surely get your heart pounding, your sweat pouring, and release some heaving breaths!

With that style of fitness training, your heart is definitely being conditioned. Tradition says that these are weight training or strength training exercises. Yet, they fulfill cardio workout needs as well.

These aren't only time saving routines, but they strengthen and condition just about every muscle in your body with full body exercises when done with just the right intensity.

Lastly, if you're reading something or watching TV while exercising, your focus level is not all there. Not only that, you're probably not seeing any real results because you're not working out hard enough.

Hope these strategies help you in your next routine. May you ride high in your fitness journey.